Sculptures by Awliscombe artist Martin Staniforth now on show at Exeter Cathedral

The Awliscombe-based sculptor Martin Staniforth - 'Morth' - currently has work on display outside, and inside, Exeter Cathedral. He told Honiton Nub News about the inspiration for his art, what it represents, and some of the events linked to the project.

"What's going on there then?" has been a frequent question as passers-by have seen me reshape bits of burnt wood outside a barn and weaving willow in the garden. It's all been in preparation for a South West Sculptors 'Density & Lightness' exhibition at the cathedral.

My sculpture is inspired by the idea that an ending can also be a beginning. Everything has its time and, after things fade, the sun rises again the next day. Indeed, when something comes to a close, this creates time and space for something new to emerge.

Following on from a large sculpture in 2017, made out of burnt timbers from the Royal Clarence Hotel, I've re-re-used them to create Resurgo (I Rise Again). Now it stands outside the cathedral. Inside the cathedral are four figurative structures that seem to float - light airy pieces, hinting at the delicacy of individual lives against the apparent solidity of the cathedral stone.

In between, on the ground, there is a huge woven willow structure which might appear to be falling down or growing up, depending on how the viewer interprets it; perhaps a meteorite falling to earth or a seedling sprouting up from the ground. The title 'Scension' refers to the directional ambiguity of ascension or descension.

The creative idea is being stretched further with a linked contemporary dance event in July, Creative Wellbeing Workshops with local charities (run through Creative Beings) and a community-crafted 'Tree of Hope' sculpture.

Scension Dance Day – Saturday, July 17

During a day of dance, six community dance groups and a professional dance company will perform amongst the sculptures to a specially-composed soundtrack. One of the dance groups comes from East Devon Dance Academy, working out of Honiton.

Tree of Hope

During the exhibition, visitors to the cathedral are invited to contribute to a community sculpture by writing memories of the past and hopes for the future onto paper leaves. These can be hung on the Tree of Hope and it's hoped that there will be hundreds of leaves appearing over the next few months. Contributions might respond to loss or loneliness due to Covid-19, or to climate change and sustainability issues.

'Density & Lightness' features 75 sculptures from 25 artists, inside and outside Exeter Cathedral, up until 30 August. The diverse exhibits include pieces made from stone, wood, ceramic, bronze, plaster and glass. Careful curation and juxtapositioning highlights links between these guest sculptures and the Cathedral's own permanent works.

Creative Wellbeing Workshops

As part of the project's aim to promote wellbeing and social cohesion, a series of workshops are being held with clients of charities Headway Devon and United Response, both with groups based in Honiton. Artist facilitators are working with participants to reflect on life, express their hopes and notice where they can find sources of strength and inspiration. Participants in previous workshops have said that these help them to realise they're not alone and that their voices are important.

'Scension' and 'Resurgo' will be at Exeter Cathedral until 30 August, as part of Density and Lightness, an exhibition by South West Sculptors. Admission is included in the standard Cathedral entry fee of £5.