My long term project is in relation to my own families links and achievements and I am very excited to be able to share this with you. This is a subject that few individuals outside of the organisation have been given permission to document or been granted access to.
I've been fortunate enough to of been given intimate access to a society that has been ongoing for just over three hundred years. My series contains a mixture of portraits, still life, archival imagery and testimonials of the men and women I've met on my journey.
The word Freemasonry often comes with many pre-conceived ideas of a group of individuals. To be a Freemason means to be part of a community, a group where men or women come together from all religions to form a brotherhood. The three grand principles on which the order are founded are brotherly love, relief and truth.
Freemasonry derived from ancient Babylonian times starting when stonemasons began building the temples in Jerusalem. It was then decided that the first stages of becoming a Freemason was to enter into the three degrees in Craft Masonry; the Apprentice, Journeyman (or fellow) and the Master Mason. It has since evolved from there.
The requirements to join are simply that one must believe in a Supreme being, must come highly recommended by two Masons, be over the age of eighteen and have no prior criminal convictions.
Today, Freemasonry continues its tradition of bringing together groups of people from around the world, where they attend lodge to perform a variety of masonic ceremonies. In today’s society, it remains a privilege to be a Freemason. It is a chance to make lifelong friendships, protect and be a part of a fraternity who give back to their society through charitable contributions.
Like many other Freemasons, masonry runs in my family. The Chescoe’s have three generations in theirs, my Great Grandfather, William Chescoe, joined in 1934 in Abbottabad in India. My Father, Nigel Chescoe, became Worshipful Master in St Sampsons Lodge, Guernsey in 2019 and has since brought my Grandfather into masonry at the age of eighty seven.
This series is very much about my own journey into Freemasonry to find out about my family and other people’s experiences. What is its relevance in today’s society? Who can join? Why is it so secret?
