Helaine Blumenfeld at Salisbury Cathedral (From Salisbury Journal)

Helaine Blumenfeld at Salisbury Cathedral

5:22pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in Entertainments By Morwenna Blake

A MAJOR exhibition by one of Britain’s leading contemporary sculptors is coming to Salisbury Cathedral.

The first major retrospective exhibition by marble and bronze sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld is coming to the city in April.

The Messenger of Spirit exhibition will bring together 18 of the pieces she has created in a career spanning more than four decades and will include four new site-specific pieces, Esprit 2013, Mysteries, The Space Within and Flight.

Sarah Mullally, canon treasurer and chairman of the cathedral’s exhibition committee, said “Within the narrative of Christian scripture Angels appear when the human mind struggles to comprehend.

“Through the Messenger of the Spirit exhibition, Helaine Blumenfeld seeks to communicate from that place when words fail through the visual, imaginative, tactile and at an emotional level.

“The cathedral seeks to do the same; therefore this is a unique opportunity for both the cathedral and sculpture to work together.

“The light, space and architecture work in partnership with the flowing textures and smooth lines of the sculpture to create a wonderful sense of light and life giving a message of creation, healing and hope.”

Twelve pieces will be inside the cathedral, with six monumental works in the surrounding Cathedral Close.

The exhibition, curated by Jacquiline Creswell, visual arts adviser for the cathedral, will run from Saturday, April 13 to Sunday, September 8.

The cathedral will be running a full programme of works to support the exhibition including workshops, talks and discussions.

In addition there will be free tours led by specialist guides offering a closer insight into Helaine Blumenfeld’s work.

For further details visit salisburycathedral.org.uk.