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I AM DYING TO LIVE, an Art Exhibition of the Paintings of Br Sandesh Manuel

I Always painted and was fascinated right from my early days by shades and colours. After I was almost thirty and did an inventory of my childhood, I found that I had done many courses in painting when I was young and won a few prizes. So, it was a passion behind The Passion. I continued to paint in my room. It took a shape and a rippled off when my music teacher asked me to paint every piece that I play as to understand the emotion and the shades of the piece and therefore many works started to evolve. One day the Guardian of the Fraternity to which I belong, came to my room and was pleasantly surprised to see so many canvases and an easel next to my bed.

Art is very much appreciated in Europe and all the more in Vienna. So, he said, “please take it forward and he would support my venture into Painting”. By this fraternal gesture, I was also very much inspired to put my weekends in good use. I also took breaks between my music practice sessions and painted as to get back with a fresh mind to practise my Guitar. Music is my Passion and I have not deviated from it and all the more art has helped me to deepen my music. I did many courses during summer and developed my technique.

I play concerts for the opening of exhibitions and coincidentally, it happened that I was invited to do an exhibition in the centre of Vienna. It’s indeed a privilege and honour to get to present my works in an art city like Vienna. My main intention of my paintings is to convey a spiritual meaning in the form of neutral Art. For example: the monkey who meditates symbolizes our monkey mind and the bliss when it’s trained through hard work and dedication, Grace automatically flows. The paintings were also sold and to my own surprise they were sold for huge amounts and the income would be dedicated to the Franciscan missions.

The General Curia is much aware that the church needs such new forms of evangelization in the needs of the times. There is also a move to form a committee to Forster art and music in the order which has sadly never been a part of for many decades. Art and music are very close to the Franciscan heart. I want to quote fr Christopher Coelho here when I asked him, I am planning to study music but I am not getting the desired response he told him “who is better off than a Franciscan to pursue in music because music and art are close to the heart of St Francis.” This sentence has always guided me in times of doubt of whether I am in the right path or army screws a bit loose... huh then I realized Francis said We are fools for God. Br Sandesh Manuel Vienna

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