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Sunday 14 August 2022

Artlyst - Heavenly Visions: Churches As Spaces For Contemporary Art

My latest feature article for Artlyst explores interest among galleries and curators in showing contemporary art in churches:

‘From early on in their history, churches have regularly been spaces in which art was displayed and valued. That continued in the modern period, although the extent to which this so became somewhat obscured and the relationship between churches and artists became somewhat fractious. Nevertheless, there are many examples – from past and present – of churches showing contemporary art, whether as permanent commissions or in temporary exhibitions/installations.

Alongside, more recently, has also been an interest among galleries and curators in showing contemporary art in churches. Such site-specific exhibitions or installations evoke contemplative and meditative encounters with contemporary art seeming to offer audiences a secular experience of mindfulness and awe, and artists the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the unique architecture and atmosphere of the space in which they exhibit their work.' 

While many examples exist, in this article I consider four recent, current or forthcoming projects which illustrate a range of approaches: Jaume Plensa: In small places, close to home, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield; Dawn Ng: Into Air, St Cyprian’s Clarence Gate, London; Heidi Bucher: Metamorphoses II, Muzeum Susch, Susch, Switzerland; and Joana Vasconcelos: Tree of Life, Sainte-Chapelle De St. Vincennes, Paris.

My other pieces for Artlyst are:

Interviews -
Articles -

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Posted by Jonathan Evens at 22:01
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