Hear Us – Canterbury Cathedral

“Graffiti is often the language of the unheard. It can be a way for the powerless to challenge injustice or inequity but it can equally be an act of vandalism, division or intimidation. 

Whichever it is, the reaction graffiti provokes is visceral – and it is this emotional punch that we want “Hear Us” to have.”

The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd David Monteith.

HEAR US: a new art exhibition that uses temporary graffiti to ask questions of God

A new art exhibition of bold graffiti-style transfers that asks questions of God has been pasted on some of Canterbury Cathedral’s ancient walls and pillars in a nod to those mark-markers and religious graffiti artists of old.

Inspired by Matthew 7:7-8, the project explores the act of asking God a question, for guidance and understanding in life’s complexities.

Hear Us saw art curator, Jacquiline Creswell and poet, Alex Vellis collaborate with marginalised local communities who did not feel the cathedral was a place for them and asked them to create answers to the question: “What would you ask God?”.

The result is a major new art installation of bold colourful graffiti-style lettering pasted onto some of the pillars in the cathedral and in the Eastern Crypt that have a direct link with historic graffiti and mason marks found in the building.

The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd David Monteith, said,

“Graffiti is often the language of the unheard. It can be a way for the powerless to challenge injustice or inequity, but it can equally be an act of vandalism, division or intimidation. Whichever it is, the reaction graffiti provokes is visceral – and it is this emotional punch that we want “Hear Us” to have.”

“We could easily have rendered the questions to God as medieval-style calligraphy …neatly hung on canvas within the Cathedral, but they would likely have gone unnoticed and unremarked upon – with few, if any, choosing to engage with the questions of faith and meaning at their heart. 

“Seeing this graffiti imagery juxtaposed against the Cathedral’s stonework – much of which is covered with centuries-old scrawled religious markings and historic graffiti – is undoubtedly jarring and will be unacceptable for some.

“But how can considering sincere questions of faith and meaning within a place of worship be sacrilegious or desperate? Or how can a temporary transfer that will leave no mark or adhesive be seen as vandalism? 

“There is a rawness which is magnified by the graffiti style which is disruptive. There is also an authenticity in what is said because it is unfiltered and not tidied up or sanitised. 

“This installation intentionally builds bridges between cultures, styles and genres and in particular allows us to receive the gifts of younger people who have much to say and from whom we need to hear much,” he added.

Hear Us officially opens this Friday ( October 17) and runs until 18 January with a special programme of events including an artist’s talk, historic graffiti tours, mini talks and family-friendly graffiti-themed activities. Find out more here.

‘Hear Us’ is a temporary art installation that has been carefully developed in conjunction with heritage experts to ensure that no damage is caused to the historic fabric of the Cathedral. It does not encourage or condone the making of graffiti on property owned or under the care of others.

Photo credit : Jacquiline Creswell