St Mary Redcliffe unveils first contemporary art exhibition

For the first time in its 800-year history, St Mary Redcliffe church is the backdrop for a contemporary art exhibition.

Eden Bleeds comprises 14 abstract works produced by Bristol-based Mexican artist Chantal Meza that confronts the devastation wrought by the climate crisis.

Church leaders said they were drawn to the series by the importance of its subject as well as the quality of the work which Canon Dan Tyndall described as “superb”.

They said the Church of England has a responsibility to respond to the environmental crises, and consequently the church will frame its lent period around ecological concerns with an events programme that complements the exhibition.

The Eden Bleeds series – exhibited for the first time in the church – consider the ravages of ecological collapse and the weaponisation of our life world system

Vicar Laura Verrall-Kelly said: “While it seems remarkable this prominent church hasn’t hosted a contemporary art exhibition before, Eden Bleeds is the perfect and timely response as the church also shows how it can adapt and play more of a socially engaged role.

“The moment we met Chantal and saw the brilliant works, we knew we had to do this.”

Meza’s works – comprising two series and two pieces under titled Visceral Ecologies, Triad, The Burning Embers of Hope and Wilderness of Doubt – are bold, dynamic pieces in mixed media and oils that evoke light and dark, roots, landscape, sky and fire.

“It is an extraordinary privilege to be able to exhibit these works in such an iconic and beautiful setting,” the artist said. “I really have no words knowing this is the first time the church has welcomed in an exhibition of contemporary art in this way. It’s a real honour and deeply humbling”.

It’s the first time in its 800 year old history that the church, called ‘the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England’ by Queen Elizabeth I, has hosted a contemporary art exhibition

Reflecting on the significance, Canon Dan Tyndall added: “We are proud to be hosting this superb exhibition of work by Chantal Meza, focusing on some of the biggest challenges facing humanity: environmental destruction, disappearing ecosystems and pollution.

“The Church of England believes that responding to the climate crisis is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation and achieve a just world. This exhibition helps to raise awareness of environmental issues and fits in with our own determination to become a more environmentally friendly church that is singing the song of faith and justice.”

Public tours of the exhibition will encourage audiences to consider the role art can play in encouraging conversation on the climate issue, as well as bringing ‘new attention to the multiple ways ecologies are endangered’.

The church sees the exhibition as a fitting way to recognise the devastation caused by the climate crisis and the integral role art can play in helping people reimagine their responses to it

Artists and experts will take part in a series of talks and workshops to further explore the subject. The Soul of Ecological Thinking, a conversation between Meza and Eco-Leadership Institute founder/CEO Simon Western, takes place on March 15.

Energy Transition, on March 29, will connect climate change, just transition, political strategies and the geopolitics of energy.. And in the Weaponization of Ecology on April 12 Brad Evans, professor of Political Violence and Aesthetics, will discuss the role of ecology in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Evans, who is the director of the University of Bath’s Centre for the Study of Violence and a co-lead on the project, wants to encourage everyone, regardless of religious proclivities, to attend: “Our societies need to find novel and original ways of discussing and education about challenging issues,” he said.

“This means rethinking our public spaces and ensuring art plays a central role in those urgent and necessary conversations. You don’t need to be religious to believe in the spirit of humanity. And St Marys have shown what is possible if you put faith in a project that allows us to reimagine better futures”.

Eden Bleeds runs until April 22. Find all details at chantal-meza.com/edenbleeds

All images: Chantal Meza

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