The Dean of Southwark has thanked the young people who created a street art installation for Southwark Cathedral saying it “inspires me to pray”.
Young people from churches all over South East London gathered for ‘Together’, an event reconnecting young people who spent time away from their friends during the pandemic.
Participants, aged thirteen to eighteen, had the choice between football, music or street art workshops. Some, like Anna, reached straight for the spray can.
Aged fourteen, from Lewisham, Anna said the theme of ‘Together’ made her think of her generation’s battle to save the planet. She said: “I sprayed the phrase ‘stronger united’ as well as symbols like the Extinction Rebellion symbol and the peace symbol.”
Anna said she was so committed to environmental causes that she’d banned her family from buying anything containing palm oil – even chocolate spread.
London College of Communication graduates put on their first public exhibition in years
“After we did the street art we all went to a room where we listened to the song the music group had composed and had a really fun bingo and had pizza and drinks. It was really good!”, she said.
The art was created by spraying symbols, words and patterns onto large sheets which were then shrunk down onto A0 canvases and hung up inside the cathedral.
Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark said: “Art created by the Woolwich Youth Forum on display at Southwark Cathedral inspires me to pray. God of our unity, may we always live as one family. Amen.”
Keli Bolton, Mission Support Officer for Southwark Diocese said: “Our young people always blow me away. They are so creative and care so much about what is happening in the world.
“It’s vital for the church to hear their voices because they are the ones who know how to navigate what’s happening right now – the climate is a big thing.”
Keli agreed with the Dean that art had spiritual qualities: “We are all wired differently but there is creativity in everyone.”
“People who talk about art say ‘it really brought something out’. I don’t make the distinction between that and prayer. It connects with you on a different level”, she said.
Roughly twenty young people collaborated to create the pieces which were hung up until Monday, June 20.