Street preaching, an unenviable vocation amidst the secular urban space, bearing both glad tidings to the willing souls and noisome message to the stonehearted. The unordained and unaffiliated status of the preachers is often frowned upon by the denominations and orthodox. Their (sometimes) rowdy voices irritate both common atheists and street traders alike. Their uncompromising call for repentance is often ill received, and their gloomy prediction of death and hell attracts insults and abuses.
Yet
some chose to tread along the undesirable path. One of whom is Desmond Hynes,
the faithful yet somewhat eccentric man who spent three decades proselytizing
at the thoroughfares of Melbourne city. He was a familiar fixture frequently
seen in the immediate vicinity of Bourke Street Mall, the Melbourne Cricket
Ground (MCG) and the Flemington Racecourse. Like a modern day Jeremiah, he sang
praises to God and condemned sins at market places and vibrant street walks.
It
was difficult not to notice Desmond Hynes and his evangelizing activities. His
hand painted placards and signature Jesus trolleys joyously screamed for
attention wherever they arrived with an occasional playful “Oh Yeah” inserted
alongside the heartwarming and solemn slogans. Utilizing materials gathered
from op shops and unwanted objects, the freelance street preacher prolifically
created numerous visually stimulating, albeit unrefined, typographic artworks.
Bold,
rudimentary uppercase letterings in huge-sized san-serif font were drawn
unrestrictedly with enamel and acrylic paint on cardboard, fabric, plastic,
canvas and T-shirts. The words conveyed were urgent and imperative. Exclamation
mark and single underline were liberally used throughout the brightly coloured final
products for emphasis purposes. Desmond Hynes travelled around with his famous
shopping trolleys and visibly signs, giving out both impromptu and planned
sermons for passersby within earshot.
Describing
himself as a former gambler and fornicator, Desmond Hynes is eager to publicly
testify to his life changing experience and fulfill a vow well kept since the
episode of bowel cancer scare in year 1986. It was a wonderful sight of a
passionate sinner turned believer insanely yet zealously professing his love
for the Saviour openly with no fear of ridicule. The acts were amateurish and
slightly rough-edged, but sincere and utterly moving.
Exhibition:
The Jesus Trolley: 30 years of Desmond Hynes pushing art and
Jesus on the streets of Melbourne
Date:
8 September to 24 December 2016
Venue:
City Galley, Melbourne Town Hall
