Abstract
This thesis will investigate the development of a symbolism without doctrinal presuppositions in a programme of vestments commissioned by the Anglican church and worked in tandem with the academic research. It seeks relations to two areas, first, in aesthetics/art by looking specifically at the post-1950, abstract painting of Mark Rothko and secondly, in theology, with emphasis on the post-1980 writing of Don Cupitt. The hermeneutical theory of Paul Ricoeur is drawn upon to give structure to, and to assist in, the interpretation of the texts of Rothko, Cupitt and the author/artist. The overall aim is to show how, through less dogmatic ecclesiastical symbolism, it might be possible to promote and enhance a contemporary, liberal approach to churchmanship by opening up opportunities for the autonomous reader/viewer to become involved with the artist in the creative process of a philosophical pursuit of the nature of God.