Outdoor sculpture exhibition at Norwich Cathedral

Ancient architecture and contemporary sculpture combine in an exciting new exhibition of outdoor art at Norwich Cathedral featuring art by John Maine and Lynn Chadwick.

 

Art in the Close runs from September 2025 to Spring 2026 is the inspirational setting for a mix of works by artists Lynn Chadwick and John Maine. The free open-air exhibition is planned to be the first in a new rolling programme of art at the Cathedral and it will give visitors the chance to enjoy discovering works in three different areas of the Close.

Lynn Chadwick’s angular steel work Sitting Figures, 1989, can be spotted in the Lower Close. The Cloister hosts two of John Maine’s striking stone works, with a further seven abstract sculptures by the artist on display in Almary Green, near the main entrance to the Cathedral Close at the Ethelbert Gate.

The exhibition is the idea of The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, who hopes hosting contemporary art in the historic setting will inspire visitors old and new alike and continue the Cathedral’s rich history of celebrating the arts.

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “From its foundation in 1096, Norwich Cathedral has been a place that celebrates the arts and creativity. The Cathedral itself is a place of international cultural significance, offering a rich treasure trove of artistic work from architecture and sculpture to embroidery, paintings and glass, as well as its outstanding musical heritage.”

The sculptures can be viewed within the context of worship and also as a way of provoking curiosity. Visitors might ask ‘Why are these sculptures here? What do they mean?’ Art in the Cathedral nurtures a sense of wonder that visitors may already feel, that opens up the opportunity of asking other questions about meaning and purpose.

Artist John Maine RA, who is a member of Norwich Cathedral’s Fabric Advisory Committee, said: “I have come to know the Cathedral well over recent years and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to explore it further through my sculpture. Norwich combines an ancient monastic tradition with contemporary life, and art can reflect both aspects. With this in mind, I have set out a collection of related sculptures that punctuate the spaces on a human scale, rather than displaying a single monumental piece.”

Asked whether the pieces were created as a statement of faith, John said, “the sculpture is not attempting to be in any way didactic or illustrate anything in the liturgy. It’s not that kind of thing. Its value is to be an observer that stands alongside all the other things that happen in the cathedral.” His piece Pinnacle on display on the cloister garth is made of blue Brazilian granite “a shape that twists and rises towards the heaven and the colour of the sky is brought down to the ground. It is seen in the context of the spire of the cathedral. I’m not making a message exactly about heaven. it’s about what it does for you – it maybe lifts people’s mood or their feeling.”

Another of John’s sculptures Definition in Five Parts is a quintet of geometric granite works that draws people to explore the Cloister’s east walk. Seven more stone works, positioned within specially mown paths in the grassland of Almary Green, create a unique installation all of their own next to the Ethelbert Gate.

Juxtaposed with the stone of John Maine’s sculptures is the stainless steel silhouette of Lynn Chadwick’s Sitting Figures, 1989, on loan from the Estate of Lynn Chadwick. The impressive, angular sculpture of the seated couple can be found between the trees in the Lower Close, with its metallic surfaces glinting in the sun and playing with light and shadow.

Together all of these works form the first incarnation of Art in the Close, the Cathedral’s new outdoor art programme aiming to celebrate creativity and inspire visitors old and new by presenting thought-provoking contemporary works in the historic setting.

The exhibition is free for all to explore. From early September, a £2 Art in the Close guide will be available for purchase from the Cathedral Shop.

For all the latest details about Art in the Close, visit www.cathedral.org.uk/artintheclose 

Picture by Bill Smith of John Maine and Rev Dr Andrew Braddock

Helen Baldry, 01/09/2025