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| Image: Sean Starr |
by Christopher L. Hodapp
According to PGM and Grand Secretary Brad Billings, it was included in the building committee meeting talks up until 1945. An architectural model was created when the building was proposed by architect Raoul Jossett, and it was built almost exactly as the model specified. But the mural itself was never installed. A look at the immense size of the auditorium stage gives you some idea of just how huge this would have been.
"Speculation is cost or they likely couldn't find a local artist to make that size painting," says Brad.
Fast forward to this past year.
An artistic Texas Brother named Sean Starr got hold of the original proposed artwork and has painted a scaled-down version for the Grand Secretary's office in three 5-foot by 5-foot panels. (Composite image above provided by the artist.)
It appears to depict Hiram Abiff (or perhaps King Solomon?) flanked by art deco depictions of the Holy Sts John, combined with the circle and parallel lines of our symbolism.
GS Billings says the mural will be projected behind the Grand East at the next annual communication of Grand Lodge. He adds, "We plan to make prints to help offset the cost of the artist to make it! I’m happy to answer any questions or give a quote. Such a cool thing to be a part of!"
As you are probably aware, the 1980s represented a turning point in English Freemasonry: what up to that time had been a somewhat mysterious (if publicity shy) but respected national organisation with many prominent members went into decline, as British elites largely stopped becoming Freemasons, public opinion turned negative, and overall membership numbers started their sharp decline.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you meant this comment for the previous story.
DeleteIt’s been too long since I read the English numbers - US voluntary associations all began their downward trend in 1958, not just Masonry. Country clubs became the hangout for the elites and the upper middle-class management and entrepreneurs, leaving the old fraternal clubs behind. Did the UK start to decline at this same period, or did fraternal groups and voluntary associations stave off membership drops a few more decades?
Sorry for posting that comment in the wrong place! It's my understanding English freemasonry's decline started a bit later than the downward trend in North America. In the early 1950s, both the King and the Archbishop of Canterbury were enthusiastic Freemasons, but by the early 1980s when the Conservative Party (once dubbed the "Tory party in aprons") returned to power under Margaret Thatcher, only a couple of key government figures still belonged. In my view, the lack of famous and admired living public figures who belonged to the Craft depressed interest in being part of it. The fact that Prince Philip, nominally a Freemason, never once attended another Masonic meeting or event after his initiation didn't help as it signalled to the public that it wasn't worth participating in, and no younger members of the Royal Family joined. As for the USA, if living US presidents, senators, Supreme Court justices, other famous men, etc., still belonged to the Craft on a decent scale, I think men would find membership more attractive.
Deletethe circumpunct is one of the masonic symbols that carries a great deal of weight for me, and this is simply a stunning rendition. perhaps one day it can be a mosaic in that amazing lodge room?
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