Mark Cazalet: The Tree of Life
Title: The Tree of Life
Artist: Mark Cazalet (b. 1964, British)
Location: North Transept, Chelmsford Cathedral (C of E)
Date: 2003-4
This work was shortlisted for the ACE Award for Art in a Religious Context 2005.
‘Mark Cazalet was commissioned to create a painting on thirty-five oak panels depicting the Tree of Life. Mark, speaking about the installation, said that the inspiration behind the piece was the music and choral tradition of the Cathedral and that he very much wanted his mural to reflect this, with the swirling motion in the painting representing the musical traditions. Mark wanted the symmetrical design of the tree to represent opposing ideas with the tree bursting into life on one side and dying back on the other. The lighting in the Cathedral was very different from the church Mark had painted the mural in and he spent several weeks on a cherry picker, changing the colour and bringing the panels to life. His favourite part is Judas resurrected.’ (See: Chelmsford Cathedral)
Mark Cazalet (b. 1964, British) is a prolific painter and print-maker who has undertaken many diverse commissions, especially in ecclesiastical settings. He is represented by the Beardsmore Gallery in north London and frequently exhibits in major regional and international shows.
Further Information
Permanent display
See Cazalet’s ‘The Tree of Life’ on the Ecclesiart map here.
Commissioner: The Dean and Chapter of Chelmsford Cathedral
Stained glass at Chelmsford Cathedral: For comment on the stained glass see Visit Stained Glass, which is an online showcase for some of Britain’s finest stained glass windows.
Other artworks in churches by Mark Cazalet: St Alban’s Romford, The Angels of the Four Elements of Creation, painted chancel ceiling; St Clement’s parish, north Kensington, Lenten Carnival, Triptych; Fraser’s Chapel, Manchester Cathedral, stained glass window and reredos; Holy Trinity, Bosham, new tapestry altar frontal and pulpit fall for Ordinary Season; Jerusalem room, Hackney Free School, The Three Johanine Healings, triptych; Our Lady of Grace and St Teresa of Avila, Chingford, Christus Cross; Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, Seven Episodes from the Life of Mary, paintings; St Mary’s, Stouting, Kent, The Resurrection, painting; St Mary the Virgin, Lakenheath, Suffolk, High Altar crucifix; Stowe School Chapel, prayer space door, Four Prophets, engraved and etched glass; The Church of the Good Shepherd, Brighton, Stations of the Cross; Wesley’s Chapel, London, The English, Sangster and Weatherhead Windows, etched and engraved glass; Worcester Cathedral, Millennium window, etched and engraved glass.