A MAJOR new art exhibition created using glass opens at Salisbury Cathedral on Monday.

Entitled Reflection, the exhibition features specially made pieces by nine internationally known artists and explores the theme of 'reflection' both as a visual response to the cathedral’s medieval building and as a stimulus for meditative reflection.

It is curated by Jacquiline Creswell, the cathedral's arts advisor, and Rebecca Newnham, a sculptor who works with glass.

Jacquiline said: "I have always been fascinated by glass; it is a material to look through in order to see out. Its intrinsic purity captures the imagination.

"The alchemical transformation of sand into a precious, crystal clear, frozen form, commands respect and reverence.

"Like architecture, glass divides light and space and in addition glass has magical qualities beyond its physicality.

"The stained glass windows of Salisbury Cathedral reflect different periods in history, but the uniting medium and colour palate permeates the vaulted space with special significance. This exhibition wishes to explore contemporary glass sculpture and installations within this tradition.”

The cathedral invited nine artists to visit the cathedral and create site specific pieces for the environment.

Jacquiline said: "They had to think about the history of the place, the spirituality of the place and the visitors that come here as well as the theme of reflection, which is very apt because it's glass.

"In the north transept, you can see this enormous data cable by New Zealand artist Galia Amsel - it looks like fibre optics are coming out of it.

"The only way we could contact Galia was by our phones and laptop at all hours of the day and night.

"We would talk to her about the spirituality of the place and that people come here to talk to God and she created this data cable.

"The one by the main door, New Perspective, is fascinating - it's really going to alter perceptions of yourself and the cathedral in the most alarming way.

"When you're looking at it, it is completely disorientating but very beautiful. It is inspired by the markings and graffiti that you see all around the cathedral.

"And then there's Incandescent - a beautiful column above the font made of 600 glass pieces constructed to make a cross. It is the most beautiful thing seeing the way that light filters into the building, making the glass sparkle and shimmer.

"These sculptures change all day long as the day progresses. It's phenomenally magical."

Salisbury Cathedral has long tradition of glass art, with some of its stained glass dating back to the 13th century and more modern windows like the astounding Gabriel Loire Prisoners of Conscience window that was installed in 1980.

Co-curator Rebecca Newnham, an artist who has worked in Europe, America and the Middle East will also be showing two monumental pieces in the exhibition.

Exhibiting with Rebecca Newnham are Galia Amsel, Sabrina Cant, Amy Cushing, Sally Fawkes, Olivia Fink, Richard Jackson, Louis Thompson and Sylvie Vandenhoucke.

Robert Titley, canon treasurer at the cathedral and chairman of the arts committee, said: “Art often serves to speak of the things we find hard to put into words and can, in an instant, speak volumes.

"The art we show in the Cathedral is curated to provoke a spiritual response and encourage the viewer to examine the carefully chosen themes around which a work is built – in this case the spiritual power of reflection.

“There will be many meanings and many views to take away from this extraordinary exhibition and we hope the images and context with stay with people for a long time. To quote St. Paul ‘we see in a mirror dimly but then we will see face to face’.

"When, as in this exhibition, the two sorts of reflections come together, the purely physical movement of light creates in our mind’s eye something rich, something new and unique, perhaps even a reflection of God and the glory that awaits us.”

The exhibition runs from August 1 until November.