Cloud of Witnesses: exhibition opens 4 Mar

Launch Event 4 March from 6–8pm
Venue St John’s Waterloo, 73 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
Exhibition dates 4 March–27 April 2025

‘Cloud of Witnesses’, an exhibition taking place in March and April in central London, showcases a unique set of artists who have come together to explore faith and divinity while provoking the viewer to think differently about how these have traditionally been portrayed.

Working ecumenically and across different faiths, St John’s Waterloo and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, advised by Art + Christianity, have come together to raise awareness, understanding and mutual respect of our collective witness in the UK through a diverse display of artworks. Through this exhibition, we aspire to create a richer dialogue about how we see and understand faith, divinity and the value of creativity, drawing inspiration from different faiths, cultures and experiences.

The artworks are either representative of or alluding to persons or deities from any religion and from any era. These works, submitted by the artists via an open call in Autumn 2024, were selected by a panel of five judges who based their decision on the integrity of the exhibition theme, the innovation of style and technique as well as the creative skill in responding to an inter-faith and/or racial justice narrative.

Euchar Gravina, Artistic Director of St John's Waterloo, adds: "As we mark St John’s Waterloo’s 200th anniversary, our focus is not only on celebrating the building itself but also the rich diversity of our congregation and the multifaith community that surrounds us. Rebuilt in 1951 as the Festival of Britain’s Exhibition Church, we are committed to opening further our creative spaces to honour and engage with this vibrant community.” 

The artworks on display are two-dimensional pieces. The judges will also award three small cash prizes to three artists on Tuesday 4 March 2025. For more information about the exhibition, click here: www.godwhospeaks.uk/cloud-of-witnesses-art-exhibition/

Panel of judges: The Right Revd Peter M Brignall (Chair); Monica Bohm-Duchen; Graeme Mortimer Evelyn; Alexis Stones and Hassan Vawda.

Cloud of Witnesses is funded and supported by Art + Christianity; God who Speaks;
St John’s Church, Waterloo; The Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Culham St Gabriel Trust and Bible Society.

For more information, please contact Fleur Dorrell – fleur.dorrell@cbcew.org.uk

Svetlana Atlavina