Innovative exhibition at All Saints Church in Cheltenham (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Innovative exhibition at All Saints Church in Cheltenham

AN innovative and challenging exhibition by 16 sculptors will be displayed at All Saints Church, Cheltenham until February 6.

Chapter and Verse is a collection of contemporary visual art, including video work, created by sculpture students who have graduated from, or attend the University of Gloucestershire.

They decided to form their group to encourage the wider community to actively engage with modern sculpture.

Challenged by the location to address the significance of religion in modern times, the artists have responded in diverse ways.

Among the pieces is Painswick-based Cynthia Whelan's Dove, a bronze cast of a dead bird she found in her garden. "The dove is a traditional symbol of Christianity and a world wide symbol of peace. The fact that it is dead speaks volumes about our troubled times," she said.

Third year student Derryn Roberts' piece for the exhibition is a sweet stall at the entrance to the church where she will sell chocolate figures of the Virgin Mary and Last Supper chocolate bars. "The meaning behind this piece is that religion has become part of a throw away society, with people swapping religions every five minutes to try to find the best deal," she said.

Tony Houlden from Kingsholm, renowned for his inventive work at Gloucester Docks, is displaying several welded metal figures.

These represent slaves and were inspired by the hymn Amazing Grace, written by John Newman who captained a slave ship but became an eminent Christian. Tony sang Amazing Grace during the private view on January 24.

The exhibition is open Monday-Friday, 12-4pm, Saturday, 10.30am-5pm and Sunday, 10am-4pm.