Niche 338 at Wells Cathedral

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Wells Cathedral and Project Factory CIC are raising funds to bring a new work of art by world renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, OBE, to the City of Wells and to support an ambitious programme of related community engagement events.

DOUBT has left the building...After taking up residence in on the west front of Wells Cathedral DOUBT (2020) by has ...
24/08/2024

DOUBT has left the building...

After taking up residence in on the west front of Wells Cathedral DOUBT (2020) by has been taken down and will be returned to the artist's studio.

The niche will remain empty for a period of three years as explained by Wells Cathedral's Canon Chancellor, The Reverend Dr Megan Daffern (quoted from Wells Nub News):

"DOUBT has been with us for longer than initially expected, so we have decided to invite space to follow it—both literally and metaphorically. Theologically and artistically, we need space to wonder and grow in our relationship with God; to invite spaciousness in ourselves, in our souls and in our community, and space to pause replacing busy thoughts and activities."

Though DOUBT by may soon be leaving there is still plenty of art to see Cathedral with the which runs through the...
07/08/2024

Though DOUBT by may soon be leaving there is still plenty of art to see Cathedral with the which runs through the end of the month. The exhibition comprises a white wall gallery within the Cloisters, as well as a number of site-specific art installations inside and around the Cathedral building.

Visit Wells

At the end of next month, the sculpture 'DOUBT' by will be removed from Niche 338 on the west front of and will remai...
18/07/2024

At the end of next month, the sculpture 'DOUBT' by will be removed from Niche 338 on the west front of and will remain empty for the following three years.

Wells Cathedral's Canon Chancellor, The Reverend Dr Megan Daffern, discussed the decision to leave the niche empty:

"DOUBT has been with us for longer than initially expected, so we have decided to invite space to follow it—both literally and metaphorically. Theologically and artistically, we need space to wonder and grow in our relationship with God; to invite spaciousness in ourselves, in our souls and in our community, and space to pause replacing busy thoughts and activities."

She added, "We are committing to a three-year 'space' to allow good consideration of what should be in Niche 338, including what the future of Niche 338 should include. It also allows for a simple series of space-related projects about which local partners may wish to make suggestions."

What makes gothic sculpture gothic?According to the Encyclopedia of Sculpture, it is difficult to define. However, in c...
17/06/2022

What makes gothic sculpture gothic?

According to the Encyclopedia of Sculpture, it is difficult to define. However, in comparison to Greek sculpture which demonstrates a scientific curiosity about the human form, Gothic sculpture shows a humanistic curiosity, highlighting both the grotesque and the elegant. To quote directly, "If Byzantine mosaic is like beer in that one needs a lot of it, Gothic art is like a cocktail in that its separate ingredients do not fairly represent its final flavour. It has all the complexity of life itself."

So if you're in Wells this weekend, enjoy the many sculptural cocktails Wells Cathedral has to offer!

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Sometimes Antony Gormley’s work shows up in vast, open spaces – like the Angel of the North. Other times, in a corner n...
10/06/2022

Sometimes Antony Gormley’s work shows up in vast, open spaces – like the Angel of the North. Other times, in a corner niche like at Wells Cathedral or, right now in Venice at the Negozio Olivetti, the bijoux showroom overlooking Piazza San Marco.

Tonight, you will also find Gormley’s work at GBS Fine Art as they help Project Factory raffle off MANIFOLD (2013) which Antony Gormley generously donated to help support school visits to Wells.

The raffle is tonight at 6:30pm BST at GBS Fine Art, 13 Sadler Street in Wells. Be sure to buy your raffle ticket before then! Link in BIO: www.givergy.uk/niche338

Wells Cathedral Project Factory CIC

Rosé & Raffle... This Friday, 10th June will be raffling off Antony Gormley's MANIFOLD (2013), at GBS Fine Art which ov...
07/06/2022

Rosé & Raffle... This Friday, 10th June
will be raffling off Antony Gormley's MANIFOLD (2013), at GBS Fine Art which overlooks the cathedral from the first floor of 13 Sadler Street.

Antony Gormley kindly donated this sought-after framed master print (valued at ~£7,000) to be offered in a Prize Draw in support of school visits to Wells.

So far Niche 338 and Project Factory have raised funds which have supported visits from over 500 school children with bursaries still available for the upcoming school year.

The prize draw will coincide with the opening evening of GBS's "Summer Exhibition" showcasing an impressive range of art and artists. English rosé from acclaimed local vinters, Pink & Co. will be served.

Please confirm your attendance so the appropriate amount of rosé will be chilled. Attendance is free, however a £5 donation is appreciated.
https://givergy.uk/niche338/?controller=tickets

(NB: the actual work is seen in the second image)

Project Factory CIC GBS Fine Art Pink & Co Wells Cathedral Visit Wells Visit Somerset

Antony Gormley Prize Draw this Friday, 11th June -
07/06/2022

Antony Gormley Prize Draw this Friday, 11th June -

Queen Elizabeth II visited Wells Cathedral in 2002 on the second day of a fifteen day tour to celebrate her Golden Jubil...
04/06/2022

Queen Elizabeth II visited Wells Cathedral in 2002 on the second day of a fifteen day tour to celebrate her Golden Jubilee.

Related to the installation of DOUBT by on the West Front of Wells Cathedral, Project Factory CIC has been fundraising to provide bursaries for school visits. These trips have been an enormous success attracting more that 500 children from ages 7-18 from across Somerset.

Antony Gormley, who's sculpture DOUBT is currently resident in Niche 338, donated one of his highly sought-after master prints, to be raffled off in support of these visits.

To buy an entry ticket, see the link in our BIO or buy one from Project Factory during the Wells Jubilee celebrations on Sunday. The drawing will take place Friday, 10th June.

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Four Queens on the West Front... Niches 142,143, 202, 203. All standing, because only Kings and Bishops were given sea...
03/06/2022

Four Queens on the West Front... Niches 142,143, 202, 203. All standing, because only Kings and Bishops were given seats (though many also stand).

At the time of the construction of Britain had only had one ruling queen, Empress Matilda (b. 1102, d. 1167). However, she was never actually crowned queen and only ruled as de - facto queen for seven weeks. The next ruling queen, Lady Jane Grey (b. 1637, d. 1554) also isn't given much credit by historians as she only ruled for 9 days, the shortest rule of any British monarch. Next came
the Tudor queen, Mary I (aka "Bloody Mary, b. 1516-1558), England's very first queen regnant. Following Mary was Elizabeth I (b. 1533-1603), the last Tudor monarch. She is considered the most influential monarch in British history and ruled for 45 years. Nearly 80 years later, Mary II (b. 1662 - d. 1694) ascended to the thrown and is the only queen in British history to have joint sovereignty and equal powers with her husband (who was also her cousin), the staunch Protestant Prince William of Orange. As Mary and William produced no heirs during their 14 year marriage, upon their deaths Mary's sister Anne (b. 1665 – d. 1714) came to the thrown. Anne is best remembered for signing the Act of Union between the kingdoms of England and Scotland in 1707 and subsequently uniting the countries of England, Wales and Scotland to become Great Britain. Over 100 years later Queen Victoria (b. 1829 - d. 1901) came to tthe thrown after the monarchy had been left without an heir apparent for the prior two generations. (Fortunately during her 21-year marriage to Prince Albert she had nine children and the monarchy has not had such problems finding heirs since). Topping Elizabeth I, Victoria reigned for sixty three years. Leading us to our EIGHT ruling queen, Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926) who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee at St. Paul's Cathedral today.

And getting back to Wells Cathedral... based on when they ruled, and the length of rule for the early ones, none of these queen regents are captured on the West Front.

Overlooking the Gormley, or rather looking out towards the cathedral green, is another Queen of the West Front. In Nich...
02/06/2022

Overlooking the Gormley, or rather looking out towards the cathedral green, is another Queen of the West Front. In Niche 198, seeated next to the "Seated King" by Simon Verity (the original sculpture was removed in November 1980 and replaced by Verity's sculpture which we have discussed in prior posts...). Originally painted like all of the sculpture on the front, gold leave was found on part of the crown, the veil has traces of red paint with green on the lining, flesh pink on the face and neck and red on the lips. However, beyond the crown there is little evidence of who this queen is.

Simon Verity photo courtsey of Philippa Black Dog Tiles

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