Artists Welcome Here | Sojourners

Artists Welcome Here

Worshippers at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, in Glasgow, Scotland, are now sharing pews with Scotland's most avant-garde artists. Ten contemporary Scottish artists have been given free rein to display groundbreaking works inside the building as part of the church's new partnership with artists from Glasgow's vibrant West End.

"We're looking at some severely contemporary work," said Ian Balch, the artist and church member coordinating the exhibit. "It's going to jolt people out of their skins—although the building will still be able to function as a cathedral." The Gothic revival building is the new spiritual home for experimental art after its facilities were upgraded in a multi-million dollar restoration. "We're not interested in controversy for controversy's sake," said provost Griff Dines, "but modern art often likes to challenge the norm—and so does the church."

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Sojourners Magazine July-August 2002
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