Chichester Cathedral will host a major exhibition of artworks from members of the Royal Society of Sculptors that express the artists’ experience of the pandemic and a collective hope for the future.
Together We Rise is comprised of over 26 artworks and will go on display in Chichester Cathedral and across its grounds from 27th June until 6 September.
The Dean of Chichester, the Very Reverend Stephen Waine, said:
“The pandemic has both made us aware of our vulnerability and illuminated our humanity.
“The artworks created for this exhibition are inspired by hope and resilience, qualities that we wish to feed back to those who visit them here.
“We truly believe that places of worship play an important part in aiding our recovery as we emerge from the pandemic – unifying and healing us.
“The work of these artists encourages us to understand that, out of some of our darkest experiences, we can rise together – as one community,’ he added.
The exhibition has been curated by Visual Arts Advisor Jacquiline Creswell, who said:
“Together We Rise is a counterpoint to the challenges of the last two years and an expression of the artists’ perseverance, by coming together through virtual means to overcome isolation, fear and doubt.
“By bringing this group together, much as other communities have come together during the pandemic to support one another, I have seen a flourishing of creativity which demonstrates the power of shared adversity overcome by shared endeavour.”
The artists are: Tabatha Andrews, Barbara Beyer, Philip Booth, Judy Boyt, Karen Browning, Fiona Campbell, Dallas Collins, Alice Cunningham, Deborah Duffin, Anna Gillespie, Richard Goldsmith, Simon Hitchens, Jane Jobling, William Lasdun, Ian Marlow, Kate McDonnell, Seamus Moran, Rosie Musgrave, Rebecca Newnham, Kate Parsons, Colin Reid, Mark Richards, Roger Stephens, Jo Taylor, Patricia Volk and David Worthington.
All the pieces respond to the artist’s experience of the pandemic, their resilience, sense of community and collective hope for the future.
The exhibition will form part of Culture Spark – Chichester’s season of culture in 2022.
Image – Rebecca Newnham. Quercus (Photo by David Bird)
