BIG CATHEDRAL DRAW:
An interactive 30 meter length 'carpet'.
Gloucester Cathedral 2017
Detail of the 30 meter length printed 'carpet' created for Gloucester. The print is a repeated pattern and inspired by the cathedral's famous fan vaulted ceiling.
Gloucester Cathedral hosted its BIG Cathedral Draw event during October half term with a unique artistic twist. I curated the art event that took stage in the Cathedral’s famous cloisters.
The BIG Cathedral Draw opened with a two-day LIVE Draw where visitors were able to view the creation of my installation Gothic Persuasion in the Cathedral’s slype, with life size ink cartoons of people in history who played a role in the architecture of the Cathedral such as Abbott Serlo, founder of the Cathedral, Henry VIII, and Thomas Cromwell. The artwork was created in response to historical research gathered at the Cathedral’s Medieval Library.
Archivist of The Medieval Library, Rebecca Phillips said:
“It has been a pleasure to welcome Amy Jane into our historic library to undertake research into the history of our architecture. As with all historic research the documents can only take us so far, and so we look forward to seeing how Amy Jane will fill the gaps in our story. This is where art and history can really work in partnership to give shape to events and individuals who are now lost to us in the historic records.”
I created a 30 meter length mock ‘carpet’ reimagined and decorated with a unique printed artwork that incorporated Gloucester Cathedral's famous fan vaulted ceiling, the earliest example in Britain, and the stained-glass work of influential Arts & Crafts designer Christopher Whall. Visitors joined me in painting the 'carpet' until it was complete.
This new interpretation of Gloucester Cathedral aimed to highlight the importance of its design and architectural development, which spans over 1000 years.
Gloucester has an impressive history of engagement with contemporary art, including the renowned ‘Crucible’ exhibitions in 2010 and 2014 from Gallery Pangolin that featured works from Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, David Nash and Sarah Lucas.
GOTHIC PERSUASION:
Conversation defining the art of cathedral design
Gloucester Cathedral 2017
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​'Amy's installation is helping to continue the cathedral's engagement work, providing appeal to a wider audience and a truly unique creative opportunity for all. Events like this are part of a nationwide effort to put Gloucester on the map as a centre for contemporary art and creative thinking.'
Helen Jeffrey, Head of Community Engagement
Above: Medieval abbots and a king. (detail) 500 x 250 c m. Ink on Fabriano paper walls mounted on a pine frame construction. Part 1/6.
Just who influenced the remarkable development of Britain’s most regal cathedral?
There are many characters, from the most persuasive Abbots who would religiously schmooze every Norman aristocrat until they poured-out their prized purses, to devoutly Christian Medieval kings who held court at Gloucester. There was Anne, Duchess of York who famously liked to snog and excite her Royal husband James in public so it's no surprise she donated a vast sum towards the cathedral's great organ (LOL). A bishop named Benson employed William Kent, a costly mistake employing an architect who had such a taste for the exotic he installed a choir screen topped with pineapples. Maybe Jesus ate pineapples... Eccentric collector and writer Horace Walpole trotted all the way from West London to Gloucester as soon as he heard the Medieval floor tiles were being dug-up and sold - he filled his coach with the lot for Strawberry Hill. HM the Queen has even kept 'tabs' on the upkeep of Gloucester and visited to help raise awareness for it in 1955. These Key historical figures and others I’ve depicted in action doing what they did best, or not. Each person impacted the building you see today in a variety of fascinating ways.
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A hand drawn installation that explores the people responsible for the development of Gloucester Cathedral spanning 1300 years, including Abbot Serlo, the cathedral's founder, William the Conqueror, Henry VIII, HM the Queen and current guardian Dean Stephen Lake.
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'Religious figure heads that settled in England at the time of the Norman Conquest were the original architects. Before the Norman invasion religious settlements in England were still constructed of timber so when the Conquerors Abbots arrived they were horrified at how primitive our buildings were. They took it upon themselves to transform communities including Gloucester by constructing some of the finest and idealised architecture seen in Britain since Roman times.' AJ
