Memorial Window II - Sea

Materials:	Acrylic on Canvas
Size:	20" in diameter
Creation Date:	November 2011
Disposition:	Private collection
Comments:	In 2010 the Royal Canadian Navy celebrated its centennial. To honour this, I started a memorial window which for various reasons was not finished until 2011. The round canvas is reminiscent both of a porthole on a ship and of a compass. The latter impression is highlighted by the cardinal points. The anchor is, of course, symbolic of the navy. As is the case with Memorial Window I - Air, this window appears rather battered and ill-cared for. The words in the painting are taken from the Naval Prayer found in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer in the section entitled Forms of Prayer to be used at sea. The full prayer follows:

O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who has compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end: Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, and her Dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Commonwealth and Empire may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours; and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Recent modifications to the Naval Prayer have omitted reference to the Empire and the phrase "through Jesus Christ our Lord".

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