Church House refurbishment complete with specially commissioned artworks

TWO specially commissioned artworks have been installed in the new entrance of Church House, Westminster, marking the completion of a two-year refurbishment project (News, 10 June 2022).

The Manchester artist Liz West has created Ever Flowing Reflection, a light installation on the central staircase, which can be seen from the reception rooms adjoining the Assembly Hall Chamber, at the centre of the building. They were created using more than 200 circular mirrors of coloured acrylic in 15 colours, reflecting colour and light around the space.

Two biblical texts were suggested to the artist to inspire the work: Amos 5.24: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”; and John 4.10, in which “The gift of living water is promised by Jesus to the Samaritan woman.”

Tom BirdEver Flowing Reflection by Liz West

A spokesperson for Church House said: “Channelling these texts, the artwork aims to inspire conversation about hope and justice in our world.”

Three paintings by the Danish artist Alexander Tovborg, who lives and works in Copenhagen, are now hanging in the entrance lobby. The series was painted earlier this year with the foyer in mind, and its title, Madonna of the Spice, is described as carrying associations with “offerings, anointing oils and incense, as well as evoking a sense of transcendence, peace and spiritual awakening”.

Mr Tovborg is known for incorporating motifs and symbols from Christianity. His past works have explored the adolescence of Jesus Christ, the first meeting of Adam and Eve, and the marriage of heaven and hell. He also often creates series, depicting a repeated image or motif using different colour palettes.

The chief executive of the Corporation of the Church House, Stephanie Maurel, said that she was “thrilled” with the commissions by artists with “a track record of working sensitively in religious settings. . . The artworks animate the building in inspiring and imaginative ways, bringing new colour, light and vibrancy for visitors, delegates and regular users of the building to enjoy.”

The building, which dates from 1940, is adjacent to Westminster Abbey, and offers 22,000 square feet of floor space. Besides housing the Church of England’s central administration, including the offices of the Church Commissioners, the Archbishops’ Council, and the Pensions Board, and being the General Synod’s London meeting place, it hires out space for conferences and events. It is also home to the offices of the diocese in Europe, and to Church House Bookshop, both of which are expected to move to new locations in the building.

Listed-building consent was granted for the refurbishment, aimed at increasing income from outside tenancies and improving the building’s carbon footprint.