Past exhibitions

19 February – 19 March 2008

Centre + Circumference

Jake Lever

With Centre + Circumference, Wallspace is launching a new strand of single installations aimed at providing a space for contemplation at All Hallows on the Wall.

Jake Lever's exquisitely crafted triptych – influenced deeply by the icon tradition – is designed on an almost architectural scale. The piece enfolds its viewers, enabling them to be immersed in the work. In experiencing the installation, visitors will be able to take refuge from the driven atmosphere of London's financial district to find rest, to slow down and be still.



Jake believes that Centre + Circumference will "heighten the quality of mystery, beauty and a sense of the holy" in this 18th century church, whose recorded history goes back to 1120.

The work is based around images of hands inspired by an ancient Native American sculpture. Key to the piece is the orientation of these hands. "They point in all directions – upwards, downwards and sideways (east and west)", says Jake. "I wanted to convey the idea that divine reality transcends our fixed categories and limited calculations, pointing deep into the silence."



Integral to Centre + Circumference is an audio track – John Tavener's Prayer of the Heart. This haunting piece was based around what is known as 'The Jesus Prayer', written for the 'untamed' voice of Björk, who sings in English, Coptic and Greek, accompanied by the Brodsky Quartet.