Peace Doves, an acclaimed community artwork by sculptor Peter Walker, makes its Irish debut at St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny.
10,000 handwritten messages of peace are now suspended high above the medieval interior at St Canice’s Cathedral in an art installation created in collaboration with the community.
Making its Irish debut today, Peace Doves, by acclaimed British sculptor Peter Walker, has already been experienced by over half a million people in venues across the UK.
The participatory artwork was created over recent months with local schools, community groups, businesses, individuals and visitors to the cathedral. It features thousands of handwritten messages of peace on bespoke white-paper doves.
The paper doves are now cascading above the cathedral’s crossing in the 800-year-old interior of St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny. The contemporary artwork, accompanied by original music from David Harper, is open to the public from today until November 7th.
The Dean of Ossory, the Very Reverend Stephen Farrell, said the installation has completely transformed the Cathedral. “These thousands of doves look mesmerising in this beautiful space, but more than that, spending time with them will help us to look up, beyond ourselves, and encourage us to seek peace and understanding.
Each dove carries a personal story of hope, remembrance, grief or peace. Under the beautiful cathedral ceiling, they have created a new canopy that combines light, sound, and the emotions of thousands of people who have contributed to this community artwork.“
The artist, Peter Walker, remarked, “It looks glorious within this remarkable building. The artwork offers the opportunity to reflect when there’s so much going on in the world around us. Here in this space, we reflect on the fact that so many thousands of other people have the same thoughts and take comfort in each other.
That’s really the heart of the message behind the artwork. I think contemporary artwork like this in an ancient space like St Canice’s Cathedral brings everything into harmony, and I hope that people will enjoy it within the serenity of the cathedral.”
Visitors will enjoy 360-degree views of the Peace Dove installation, accompanied by David Harper’s classical soundtrack along with a programme of music and wellness events. For more information about St Canice’s Cathedral, the Peace Dove installation, running until November 7th, or its series of autumn/winter events, visit www.stcanicescathedral.ie.
