13 October – 3 December 2010
Tuesday – Friday 12 – 6pm
Saturday 11am – 4pm
Admission FREE
Wallspace joins forces with Art+Christianity Enquiry to present
Commissioning permanent works of art for religious spaces has always been a difficult undertaking. Yet, the challenge is still being taken up by cathedral, church, chapel, school and other faith communities. Recently there has been something of a renewal of interest in this area, often led by the artists themselves.

Wallspace is dedicated to the exhibition of contemporary art dealing with the spiritual and ACE’s mission is an enquiry into the same terrain. Together in this exhibition, we are seeking to highlight current practice in commissioning for British churches.
Much has been written about the ground-breaking efforts of twentieth century church art patronage. However, much of this narrative peters out after the inauguration of Coventry Cathedral some fifty years ago. Commission and the ACE monograph, Contemporary Art in British Churches, take up the story to the present day. Starting with Henry Moore’s remarkable, and at the time highly controversial, altar for St Stephen Walbrook, the exhibition highlights the work of 14 artists who have taken on the challenge of a permanent work for a religious space. We have tried to show preparatory sketches and sculptural maquettes where possible to illustrate the artistic process and the thought and hard work that goes into such an endeavour. Major recent commissions for the Lumen Centre URC church and St Martin in the Fields London, and Tracey Emin’s neon artwork for Liverpool Anglican Cathedral are all represented.
We are excited by the fact that this is a snapshot exhibition at a time of ongoing activity in this area. New commissions are in train for a number of our most sacred spaces. At the time of writing, an announcement is eagerly awaited for a major new commission for Chichester Cathedral.
In presenting this exhibition, publishing the monograph, and in hosting a panel discussion on 16 November, we aim to encourage best practice in the future commissioning of permanent works. We hope to inform as wide an audience as possible, to promote debate about the process and to encourage artists to engage with the challenges involved.
Both Wallspace and Art and Christianity Enquiry wish to thank the lenders that made this exhibition possible.

ARTISTS AND LOCATION OF COMMISSIONS
Craigie Aitchison, Calvary,
Chapel of St Margaret, Truro Cathedral, 2007
Mark Cazalet, Memorial windows,
Wesley”s Chapel, London, 2001/2003
Stephen Cox, St Anselm’s Altar,
Canterbury Cathedral, 2005
Tracey Emin, For you,
Liverpool Cathedral, 2008
Chris Gollon, Stations of the Cross,
St John on Bethnal Green, 2000–2009
Antony Gormley, Sound II,
Winchester Cathedral, 1986
Susanna Heron, Still Point,
Metropolitan Cathedral Liverpool, 2007
Shirazeh Houshiary, East Window,
Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, London, 2008
Iain McKillop, Lady Chapel Altarpiece,
Gloucester Cathedral, 2003
Henry Moore, Altar,
St Stephen Walbrooke, 1972
Victoria Rance, Boat, five stained glass windows and font,
St Andrew’s Waterloo, 2005/2006
Rona Smith, North Elevation, Lumen Centre,
United Reformed Church, London, 2009
Alison Watt, Still,
Old St Paul’s Church, Edinburgh, 2004
Alison Wilding, Font, drinking fountain and garden fountain,
Lumen Centre, United Reformed Church, London 2009





