Contemporary Art in Salisbury Cathedral

Visual art is one of the great civilising achievements of humankind.

It can speak to us of the transcendent and of eternal truths, as well

as challenging our perceptions of ourselves and the way we live.

In its creation and presentation, art elicits wonder. It challenges,

probes and inspires. It opens us to hidden meaning and to deep

purpose. Art can speak when words fail.

Jacquiline Creswell, Visual Arts Advisor and Curator

Churches have employed the visual arts

for centuries, to celebrate their faith

and communicate its truth and beauty,

but also to offer a critique of that

faith. They have found that art has the

power to do these things by attracting

and engaging people who are outside

the formal structures of believing or

belonging.

Visual Arts Policy, Salisbury Cathedral

Flare ll by Antony Gormley, 2012

Liminality: Toward the Unknown, 2009

Eight contemporary sculptors interpret the theme of liminality, or transitional space, using Salisbury Cathedral as inspiration.

Themes:• Themes necessary for specific dialogue

• Visual art be may be able to communicate subjects and ideas that are difficult to express verbally

Bruce Munro, 2009/10

Bruce Munro, 2009/10

Two thousand droplets of light suspended in the spire crossing to celebrate the Advent service Darkness to Light. Sixty-nine

water towers, with pitch-activated LED lights transform the cloister when choristers sing among the towers creating an

immersive sound light installation.

Conflux, Sean Henry, 2011

A dialogue between the fragile individuality of anonymous men and women in contrast with the memorials of important historical

figures. We are made equal in the image of God.

Avenue of Champions, Ben Dearnley, 2012

Bronze body casts of nine Olympians – Steve Williams, Louis Smith, Mark Foster and Ade Adepitan among others – to celebrate the Olympic

Games in the UK.

Messenger of the Spirit, Helaine Blumenfeld, 2013

Exploring the idea of angels, the closest representation of pure spirit that humans are capable of encountering. They are spiritual messengers.

Sanctuary, John Maine, 2014

Encourages the engagement with the many meanings and implications of ‘sanctuary’ not least as a place of safety and refuge; mysterious places

created for reflection and contemplation.

Apostles Speaking

in Tongues Lit by

their own Lamps,

Nicholas Pope,

2014

Apostles Speaking in Tongues Lit by their own Lamps, Nicholas Pope, 2014

Placed in the Trinity Chapel for Pentecost, theatre and sculpture united.

Enlightenment and Spirit of

Justice, Power of Words,

Squidsoup, 2015

Enlightenment and Spirit of Justice, Power of Words, Squidsoup, 2015

Celebrating 800 years of Magna Carta, an immersive light installation, inspired by the impact of Magna Carta and a projection of words from

Magna Carta that the audience can rearrange and change.

Outreach and

Community Projects:

• Erlestoke Prison Project

for Magna Carta 800th

anniversary

• Magna Carta banners for

HM Queen’s visit

• Sunshine Project for the

elderly

• Do I Know You,

Susan Francis, about

homelessness

• Faith in Focus,

Methodist Art Collection

• Hundred Hearts, SSAFA for

WW1 commemoration

• Meet the Artist: Ana Maria

Pacheco works with a

group of GCSE art

students

Relationships, Sophie Ryder, 2016

Human and animal forms used as a metaphor to discuss a complex range of human interactions and emotions.

Reflections, 2016

Nine glass artists from around the world are challenged to respond and reflect on Salisbury Cathedral, its spirituality, history and

community.

Reflections, 2016

Nine glass artists from

around the world are

challenged to respond

and reflect on

Salisbury Cathedral,

its spirituality, history

and community.

Star of Bethlehem, Jayson Haebich, 2016/17

A laser light installation with community interaction through an iPad, which allowed the viewer to change the shape and colour of the star.

Dispersing the Night, Ana Maria Pacheco, 2017

The theme is hope, an optimistic attitude, with a belief in the positive side of human nature we can drive the darkness from our lives.

Revelation Threads, Jacqui Parkinson, 2017

Display of textile art created in response to the last book in the bible, Revelation. 14 large panels retell the extraordinary story.

Les Colombes, Michael Pendry, 2018

Les Colombes, Michael Pendry, 2018

The white dove has inspired many with its

innocence and purity; it is a message of

peace and new beginnings. Within the

cathedral, it is a symbol of the holy spirit.

The Miracle Paintings by Stephen Farthing, 2018

From Darkness to Light, 2018

Ladders of Light: a new Constitution for the UK, 2019

Walking Woman, Lynn Chadwick, 2016 Crucifixion, Barbara Hepworth, 2017Walking Madonna, Elisabeth Frink, 1990

Permanent Art