I don’t know how it can be done, but maybe this idea of working to bring many different believes together, even the most controversial, and letting each one explain their spirituality without being attacked, could be a way of opening minds. Then, from there, we can talk of the things all have in common and how Art points to this common things, trying to find an artistic language that talks to everyone over the believes and over cultural limits. I believe that even when an artist use their own cultural or religious iconographies, if their Art talks of the common spiritual values, will reach and talk to all people. But what are those common values?

Augusto Cabrera.

I have been busy working and have completed some commissions, including a memorial to Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard, two great men who steered Liverpool through a very difficult period of political unrest and sectarian differences in the 1980’s.

The artwork takes the form of two 4.5 m tall bronze doors, like the side panels of a triptych, and they sit on Hope street, a street that connects the Liverpool’s two great cathedrals.

The doors form a gateway encouraging the viewer to walk between, framing the views of the Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedrals. On the internal face of the doors the viewer stands in front of the life-size portraits of Worlock and Sheppard.

The viewer becomes the third person, at eye level in an inclusive relationship, standing on a third circular bronze plinth flush to the pavement.

The figures are touchable and through their gesture and stance establish a dialogue with the viewer. The empty third plinth could also be seen as being symbolic of Christ, the third person in their great friendship.

They are both dressed in their priestly robes which have a strong sculptural quality, with symbols of their lineage and anointing as bishops and clues to their distinctive traditions. Above them in low relief are Christ’s hands, as though he was standing on the central panel of the triptych.

On the other side of the doors, low-relief bronze symbols, text, and press cuttings tell the story of their respective lives and ministry, this places them in the context of the political and sectarian turmoil that they found themselves.

Memorials can be difficult for the contemporary sculptor, it is trying to catch something of who they were in their day, connecting to those that still hold them very dear, while offering something fresh and meaningful to future generations.

It also has to help establish a sense of place and identity in the streetscape, and City.

I certainly enjoyed the process of research and discovery, and also the crafting of the piece.

And especially the close relationship we as a family have forged with Grace, David Sheppard’s widow, who has been regularly staying with us at Harthill to help find the space to write a book on friendship.

I would be interested to hear your comments, and also examples of other peoples creative stories.

I often run various performance and clowning workshops here in Melbourne, Australia and would love to know how to post dates up for people either in the area or nearby that could find out about our vivid network and be part of what is on.

Please let me know of all your ideas building the foundation of a very strong network.

Another point is about using Art as a tool for Spiritual transformation. But transformation of what? And into what? As I said before, for many people spirituality is the same as religion. Each one of us thinks that our own believes are the right ones and the others are wrong even if we say that we accept others faiths. A Christian believes that his or hers religion is true and Hinduism is wrong otherwise they would convert to Hinduism. I know that this is a very old discussion but, is it there something we all have in common? Something we can all agree into? Some will say that the 4 absolutes are the common denominator but even those are subject to interpretation.  So, what kind of transformation can we all agree upon? 

Augusto Cabrera