Nine artists observe ‘Stations of Water’ for 2017 Just Water campaign – St Paul’s Cathedral, London

Nine contemporary artists are commissioned to create artworks, including sculpture, painting, installation, and film, in conjunction with justwater2017.org, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. From 25 September to 27 October 2017 during regular visitor hours.

Raising awareness and activism for water justice

In “Stations of Water“, nine artists create an exhibition of contemporary art in conjunction with “JustWater“, a St Paul’s Institute’s International Cathedral project which brings “churches together in raising awareness and activism about water“.  Four churches on four continents (St. George’s Cathedral (Cape Town), St. Paul’s Cathedral (Melbourne), Trinity Church Wall Street (New York), and St. Paul’s Cathedral (London)) have collaborated on various programmes and activities designed to foster shared understanding, support advocacy, and build a community for action seeking water justice around the globe. Through JustWater, the hope is that others will be inspired to

“lift their voices to draw attention to our obligation to care for God’s sustaining gift of water in all its forms.“

Modelled on the liturgy of the Stations of the Cross, “Stations of Water” presents nine artworks ranging from sculpture, installation, and painting, to new media works with video or sound. Some of the work is on the esoteric side: contemplating the materiality of water (James Pimperton’s “The Three States”), making present the unseen underground rivers of London (Marilyn Collins’ “Inter-Sect”), reflecting the sublime in a single precious drop (Kelise Franclemont, “Prayer for Rain”) or venerating the water/life-force that is within all creatures (Michelangelo Arteaga, “Spiral of Life”).

Michelangelo Arteaga, ‘Spiral of Life’, 2017, polyester resin, fibreglass, light, and sound, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

James Pimperton, ‘The Three States [triptych’, 2017, oil on panel and wooden lectern, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

Marilyn Collins, ‘Inter-Sect’, 2017, steel, digital film, sound, and Thames driftwood, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

Kelise Franclemont, ‘Prayer for Rain’, 2017, hologram, copper, and sound, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

In two others, there is the question of human impact on water, from urgent socio-political concerns about this essential resource (Marcela Montoya-Turnill, “I Thirst”) to the water creatures quickly becoming extinct in an undeniable consequence of human pollution (Regan O’Callaghan, “The Slippery Longfin Eel of New Zealand”).

Regan O’Callaghan, ‘The Slippery Longfin Eel of New Zealand’, 2017, plastic clerical collars and acrylic rods, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

Marcela Montoya-Turnill, ‘I Thirst’, 2017, wood, fibreglass, marble, and cloth, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

The final three pieces offer a poignant look at collective responsibility for fellow humans all over the world, with Jonathan Slaughter’s “Safe Harbour”, a response to near-daily news of perilous water crossings by people looking for refuge, Paul Abbott’s “Monument” which shares the intimate story narrated by a new immigrant to the UK, and Alex Roberts’ “Overlook” which asks us to consider the anonymous and oft-invisible refugee, will we turn our backs on him/her even when we see?

Paul Abbott, ‘Monument’, 2017, video, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

Alex Roberts, ‘Overlooked’ [triptych], 2017, oil on silk, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

Jonathan Slaughter, ‘Safe Harbour’, 2017, rope installation, in ‘Stations of Water’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Image credit Graham Lacdao.

About the artists

The nine artists, all alumni from Chelsea College of Arts, London, hail from four corners of the globe, and many of whom now live and/or work in the UK:

Paul Abbott (UK), Michelangelo Arteaga (Spain), Marilyn Collins (UK), Kelise Franclemont (UK/USA), Marcela Montoya Turnill (UK/Mexico), Regan O’Callaghan (UK/New Zealand), James Pimperton (UK), Alex Roberts (UK/Germany), Jonathan Slaughter (UK)

“Stations of Water” is curated by Oksana Smirnova (Russia) and Regan O’Callaghan (UK/New Zealand)

Jointly with the exhibition throughout the month of October, the artists will be working alongside the Cathedral’s Schools and Family Learning Department to run art and education projects for visiting schools and families.

“Stations of Water” is recommended for: schools, families, tourists and other fans of socially-engaged contemporary art

More links and info about “Stations of Water”

• Click thumbnail to view/download “Stations of Water” e-flyer and exhibition guide [PDF]:
     
• “Stations of Water” is kindly supported by St. Paul’s Institute and St. Paul’s Cathedral in conjunction with Just Water 2017 campaign which is focused on global water concerns at the local level
• View “Stations of Water” information on the Diocese of London website
• The four cathedrals working together for JustWater2017 are:
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral (London)
  • St. George’s Cathedral (Cape Town)
  • Trinity Church Wall Street (New York)
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral (Melbourne)

Exhibition details: “Stations of Water” opens 25 September through 27 October 2017 at St. Paul’s Cathedral and crypt, St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD. Paid entrance; step-free access.

Please note the exhibition is included with paid entrance to St. Paul’s Cathedral during sight-seeing hours:

Monday to Saturday
8:30AM to 4:00PM (last entrance)