A sculpure entitled "Cliff" is a memorial to Kenneth C. Baker
Reredos
A scuplture of unique beauty and deep significance was created by Claus Giertta of Stockholm, Sweden as a memorial to a faithful member of St. Matthews church, Kenneth C. Baker.
The Rev. David P. Hegg, III, rector of St. Matthews at the time of Kenneth Baker's death, appointed a committee to select an appropriate memorial to be placed in the sanctuary of the church in Kenneth's memory.
The rector chose Mrs. Carroll Lorens, Art Supervisor of the Kirkwood school system and an artist in her own right, and Mr. Ernest Brauner to be on the committee. The committee asked two well-known artists for their suggestions. The artist were Mr. Clark B. Fitzgerald, whose work is on display at the St. Louis Art Museum and Brother Mel of the Marionist Order, whose religious art is well known. The committee was also authorized to discuss the proposed memorial with Mr. Giertta, a Swedish sculptor of international reputation. Mr. Giertta submitted a number of photographs of his works which included communion silver, bronze statues and a monumental sculpture. These photographs gave good insight into his style and mental frame of reference as an artist. He also submitted a small ink sketch containing the basic idea of what he was ultimately to create. In a telephone converstion with the artist, significant information was exchanged and shortly thereafter Mr.Giertta was commissioned by the committee and Mrs.Kenneth Baker to create the sculpture. The artist proceeded to submit a full-scale painting in natural colors to enable the vestry, wardens, rector and committee to evaluate the proposed sculpture and accept it for St. Matthew's Church.
The Reredos is ten feet high, six and on-half feet wide and is anchored tothe North wall of the sanctuary by bolts whcih the artist provided for that purpose. The sculpture is complete on all sides, for example the figures all have faces. The artist felt this was essential.
The Reredos depicts the human scene represented by the three figures. No single interpretation of the sculpture it possible. It deliberately and by design allows for several interpretations. It invites the viewer to interact with the sculpture and bring varied feelings ans aspirations to it. Always, however, the sculpture draws one's vision upward toward the stars.
Amoung various possible interpreations is that of mankind countinuously climbing, continuously reaching upward for the stars, for the Divine.
The sculpture is entitled "Cliff" and is a reminder of the difficulties and hazards involved in our human situation. Mankind is involved in a search for the Divine which is like a steep climb up a cliff.
The large spikes are depicted as extremely solid and strong, holding together both the cliff and aiding mankind. They may well represent Faith and God's Graciousness. Spikes of this kind have been found in Stockholm harbor, driven in the granite surface by pre-historic man. The broken head of both spikes may indicate the frustration of human endeavor unaided by the Divine Spirit. There is a boulder in the sculpture, though it is not especially prominent. It is a reminder of the precarious nature of our spiritual quest and journey.
The "Cliff" was installed and dedicated in 1975 after it came by airplane from Stockholm. Before it left for St. Louis, it was publically displayed in Sweden with the cooperation of the U.S. Embassy there. A major work of art has come to us and enhances our worship by reminding us of God's creative power and love.