Sculptures on display at Salisbury Cathedral
A bronze and steel sculpture which grew out of the artist’s reflections on the death of her grandmother in Treblinka and ‘man’s inhumanity to man at other times’, is now on display in the Morning Chapel at Salisbury Cathedral for six months, a period which includes both Remembrance-tide and Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Thornflower (right) by Charlotte Mayer, takes the form of three petal-like
diametrically-opposite configurations, created from the shapes of crescent moons and held high by five stems of brutal thorns set into a circular bronze base. The sculpture is full of contrasts being both soft and fluid, rigid and sharp, rounded and straight, while the warm and rich golden flowers contrast with the cold dark grey of the steel thorns.
Six further bronzes and one stainless steel sculpture by Charlotte Mayer are also exhibited until Thursday 19 November.
Mark Bonney, Canon Treasurer and Chairman of Salisbury Cathedral’s Exhibitions Committee, said: “This beautiful sculpture stands as a powerful symbol of reconciliation as it seeks to bring together contrasting and conflicting elements, reflecting Salisbury Cathedral’s own commitment to justice and unity.
“Bringing into harmony elements that are in conflict lies at the heart of the Christian message of the reconciling love of God. We hope that the many visitors who see these sculptures in the beautiful, peaceful setting of the Morning Chapel will be moved by their presence and the story they tell.”
The Thornflower can be seen Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sundays 12.30pm to 2.30pm in the Morning Chapel in Salisbury Cathedral from now until mid-April. The seven further sculptures are present until 19 November. Admission free. Further information: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk
