Earthworks: Southwark Cathedral hosts Lent art installation

Each year since 2012, Lent in Southwark Cathedral has been accompanied by art installations which aim to make visitors to the Cathedral think and reflect during this important time of the Church's year.

This year the artist Peter Burke is exhibiting a selection of his 'Earthworks' from Ash Wednesday 10 February until Good Friday 25 March.

"Each year the art installation at Southwark Cathedral takes us to a very different place," said the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark.

"This year 'Earthworks' encourages us to go back to the creation story and the very stuff beneath our feet.

"For Christians, Jesus' humanity is painfully present in the events of the crucifixion and the fact that we share with him in being 'earthworks' makes his passion ours.

"Peter Burke's hands, feet, faces and torsos make us think about this 'earthy' nature that we share.

"They are both beautifully crafted and deeply evocative and the journey that they create for us in the sacred space takes us to the very stuff from which we were crafted."

Peter Burke said: "I am delighted to be showing a selection of my 'Earthworks' in this beautiful and historic building.

"This group of works are a meditation on the relationship between people, a sense of place and the earth.

"All of these works have been made from the variety of soils/earths within a 20 mile radius of my home, with their rich association with underlying geology, history and society.

"For subject I have worked with people that have a connection with this area. In this time of awareness of the fragility of our environment and way of life, it is perhaps a good time to refer back to the basics of life, to people and our natural resources."

• Peter Burke will be speaking on the work in the Cathedral on Sunday 28 February after the Choral Eucharist and the Dean will lead a 'Walking Earthworks' meditative trail on Sunday 20 March at 6pm, admission free.