Exhibiting Faith
A podcast about the intersection of art and faith, from art in sacred spaces to artists and curators engaged with themes of faith. In each episode, critic and art historian David Trigg welcomes a different guest for whom faith has played a significant role in their life and work.
Exhibiting Faith
S2 E04 • The Art of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral
In this episode, David Trigg is joined by Laura Moffatt, Director of Art + Christianity, for the first of two episodes exploring the vibrant artworks of Liverpool’s two magnificent cathedrals: the protestant Cathedral Church of Christ and the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
This first instalment explores a selection of modern and contemporary artworks displayed in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.
Based on a design by Giles Gilbert Scott, the striking gothic revival structure was built in local red sandstone between 1904 and 1978. With its giant 101 metre tall central tower and massive proportions, the building dominates the city skyline.
The tour begins outside the cathedral, where high above the West Doors is Elisabeth Frink’s The Welcoming Christ (also known as The Risen Christ), a large 5-metre-tall bronze installed in 1993. Inside, Laura leads us to see parable paintings from the mid-1990s by Christopher Le Brun and Adrian Wiszniewski; a 1998 crucifixion scene by Craigie Aitchison, and Tracey Emin’s 2008 neon installation For You.
Our visit to the cathedral coincided with the 13th edition of the Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary art. This year works by two Biennial artists have been installed in the cathedral: glass collages by Ana Navas in the Lady Chapel, and a spectacular large-scale textile installation by Cypriot artist Maria Loizidou near the west end of the cathedral titled Where Am I Now?
David is also joined by the cathedral’s Canon Chancellor Ellen Loudon to discuss why it is important for the cathedral to engage with visual art.
Artworks discussed in this episode:
Elizabeth Frink (1930-1993), The Welcoming Christ (1993)
Christopher Le Brun, The Prodigal Son (1996)
Christopher Le Brun, The Good Samaritan (1996)
Adrian Wiszniewski, The Good Samaritan (1995)
Adrian Wiszniewski, The House Built on Rock (1995)
Craigie Aitchison, Calvary (1998)
Maria Loizidou, Where Am I Now? (2025)
Ana Navas, Passion Flower (2025)
Tracey Emin, For You (2008)
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