Father Robert J. Terentieff, known to Walnut Beach area as Father "Tee" was truly a brilliant man. His teachings offered us the ability to have an open mind, open heart and open soul if one had taken the opportunity to do so. This allowed us to learn more, instead of learning being a need it became a want, to absorb more to know to understand the world. The mundane became interesting; the microscopic became larger than life; the hate turned to like and love; seeing made one a believer; dullness became vibrant; the murkiness cleared away all teaching us that what we learned is not happenstance, but a gift. A gift from a higher source that is to be noticed and not taken for granted.
Sometimes unorthodox, even going against some principles created an air about Father "Tee" as a bull in a china shop. But, when he entered a room, it was like a breath of fresh air, you inhaled taking in the depth and breadth of his energy that illuminated the room. You couldn't help but smile as you were enveloped with the love and grace being bestowed on each of us. His deep throaty voice almost echoed as he spoke. His laugh would resonate within that you found yourself beginning to laugh with him, even if you didn't get the punch line.
Father "Tee" a man of principles, and a man who believed that sometimes those principles needed to be shaken up a bit if not broken to make one see the truth. Some felt he didn't care what was left in its wake, but it is a misnomer, for Father "Tee" cared and cared for all of humanity; he loved and understood more than anyone can ever imagine.
Father was a Doctor of Philosophy of Art, graduating with his PhD from Pacific Western University. He received his Masters in Art Education from University of Bridgeport (before the present owners) and a Masters in Theology from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD. He continued his studies in art, religion, and Spirituality throughout his life. A professor, Chaplain, Art Coordinator for primary and secondary schools, Chair and instructor of an art department and a curator of a gallery had exhibited in over 34 exhibits; nine being one-person exhibits.
"Tee" as his adopted family members called him had different facets when creating his art. His private works were surreal, some modern and contemporary. Each one different, yet very geometrical with a fluidness that envelopes its subject and the viewer at the same time. The shapes representative of so many things, but we only can decide for ourselves what they mean; the universe?, the atomic structure of what cannot be seen?, the three dimensional life we live in?, or is it another dimension that has yet to be discovered?, or even the "God" particle that has just recently been identified which would mean Father had discovered it much earlier!?
His collages are touchable, with multi-media forms, again creating geometric shapes, some using images of Mother Earth, a form of teaching the Creation from the Bible.
Orbs galore, smashing together to
take form.
He understanding the “circle”, the one continuous movement, painted with such impeccable patience using pointillism. Each of his paintings, when looking afar at them they seem to be an embellished mosaic; but upon getting closer it takes the form of pointillism. He always being so meticulous in his work having the patience to complete each painting, yet, in life itself, he was always, always in a hurry.
His multi-media figures look to be a silk screen but when looking closer it is found to have more than one form of medium used - from flat to texture to width and height creating fluidness that we find ourselves moving in-line with each one.
However, there was a traditional, Renaissance facet; the facet that was for public viewing. This facet is seen in his commissioned work of stained glass windows for different institutions.
Being known for his stained glass work one can enjoy each piece everyday just by passing by certain institutions or visiting them: St. Anthony Claret Church in Lakewood NJ is adorned with 54 windows; Academy of Our Lady of Mercy a/k/a Lauralton Hall in Milford, CT is adorned with six windows honoring their legacy and their 100th Anniversary of the school's establishment; St. Gabriel Church in Milford, CT has three circular windows; The Stratford Library is home to five windows four of which are dedicated to the memory of Board Member Ed Fennell and the fifth is in honor of the library's 100th Anniversary. His works appear in Live Oaks School, Milford, CT which is adorned with one window entitled "The Cheryl Window"; Mary Taylor Church, Milford, CT is blessed with four pairs of windows and 18 hangings four of which are 25 feet long with images of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; Mt. St. Mary's University is blessed with seven windows; Emmitsburg Osteopathic Primary Care Center in Maryland, one window; Georgian Court University in New Jersey, six windows; The Alzheimer's Resource Center in Connecticut, four windows; the three Hewitt Nursing facilities in Shelton, CT is adorned with a total of six windows and five hangings; St Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Bridgeport, CT, five windows; and St. Clement Roman Catholic Church in West Warwick, RI one window. AMAZING! Just AMAZING!
His sense and understanding of the connection between art and soul was always treated as a gift from God, he never took it; he knew by receiving this gift he was to give back so he knew he was to create. And create he did. His brilliance in design, his words was "guidance from above", his styles and techniques combined with his love of God all flowed together creating astounding works.
His unorthodoxy at times may just have been what was needed for all of us to question, and seek more than what was handed to us. He wanted each of us to find truth, peace within our souls, love for Mother Earth and love of our fellow man/woman. Fr. Robert Joseph Terentieff has made his mark, he has left a legacy.
We will miss him, however, he will always live in each art piece he created, teaching us still that we should always seek more.
Join us on Saturday, May 4th at Sobobo Gallery from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm as we celebrate Father Tee's life as an artist and relish in what he continues to tell us. Visiting us on May 4th you will have the opportunity to find out more of Father's life and his life's works and meet his adopted family, the Yurgas.
It will be pure joy to greet you!
