Peace Doves – Southwark Cathedral

New art to provoke, hidden treasures and ancient manuscripts to explore, and peace doves for reflection and calm, – just some of the events visitors can discover at our cathedrals this summer.

Peace Doves create unique space for harmony and peace in Southwark Cathedral

‘The world is crying out for peace. Peter Walker’s beautiful installation gives voice to the thousands who have written their hopes on the soaring doves. Spending time with the installation has a distilling effect as it asks us to look up, to look beyond ourselves and the self-destruction we can all be engaged in, and to instead seek harmony, beauty, and a shared future shaped by peaceful relationships and justice.’

Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark

Peace Doves, an installation of thousands of paper doves decorated with messages of peace, has gone on display in Southwark Cathedral this summer.

The installation by artist Peter Walker is a large-scale, mass participation illuminated artwork featuring thousands of paper doves suspended on ribbons and each carries a personal message of peace, hope and love written by visitors, local school children, and community groups.

There is a series of Peace Dove Lates events inviting visitors to experience the installation after hours as the day turns to dusk – these are available every Wednesday through August from 5-9pm and Friday 12 September.

Peace Doves has been experienced at many of our cathedrals including Chester, Chichester, Durham, Lichfield, Lincoln, Liverpool, Sheffield, and St Albans cathedrals. It will be on display at Southwark Cathedral until 16 September.

Photo Credit – Peter Walker