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Sculpture installed in church as 'gift' to city

Maddy Jennings
BBC News, Norfolk
Maddy Jennings/BBC A grey cube, installed between two pillars in a church. Three sides of the cube are visible, and each had a geometric pattern on it. Purple light is shining through this. The pillars are lit up with pink lights. Maddy Jennings/BBC
The sculpture by Peter Walker was commissioned by the church

An art exhibit encouraging people to reflect on their stories has been opened as a "gift" to a city.

The project, called HIDDEN, was created by the team at St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich, alongside sculptor Peter Walker, who created a 6m sq luminous cube to display in the church.

Norfolk schools, community centres, and residential care homes have also taken part by creating art for the project.

The church's associate priest, and the project's coordinator the Reverend Dr Fiona Haworth said: "We want to say to people that this is your church - it's a place for you, and you are valued here whatever stories you bring."

Maddy Jennings/BBC The Reverend Canon Edward Carter is on the left of the image. He has a lack top on and white collar around his neck. He has short grey hair and a short grey beard. On the right of the image, the Reverend Dr Haworth is looking into the camera, smiling. She has grey hair, tied back, and is wearing glasses. Her shirt is grey and patterned, and she has a white collar around her neck.Maddy Jennings/BBC
Mr Carter and Dr Haworth wanted to involve the whole community in the project

The church has been home to art installations previously, including the Gaia globe by Luke Jerram in 2021.

After the previous success, the team at St Peter Mancroft commissioned Mr Walker to create a sculpture as part of their project.

"The concept behind Hidden is the idea of the stories that we tell and those we conceal," Dr Haworth said.

The church's vicar, the Reverend Canon Edward Carter, added: "Every person who comes to the church, they all have their own individual stories."

"It's a chance to reflect on those and perhaps share them in a safe way," he said.

Maddy Jennings/BBC 11 masks, handing from a green board. Each mask is different, painted with vibrant colours and patterns.Maddy Jennings/BBC
The masks have stories by users of the Matthew Project written on the inside

As part of the project, students from the Norwich University of the Arts worked with members of the Matthew Project to create masks sharing their stories.

Dr Haworth said: "It's a way of expressing their emotions and how they feel about how the world views them.

"They've been able to write their stories on the interior of the mask, so they remain hidden."

Students at Lakenham Primary School and the Norwich Steiner School also created artwork for the project, which have been displayed in the church.

For both Mr Carter and Dr Haworth, the local community is central to the project.

"How those stories, hidden stories, get woven together... That's what makes a community, that's what makes us," Mr Carter said.

Dr Haworth added: "I think we want to offer this as a gift to the city.

"We want to say to people that 'this is your church, it's a place for you, and you are valued here whatever stories you bring'."

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