Exeter Cathedral is hosting a series of wax carving workshops with the aim of creating 1,000 wax sculptures by 1,000 different people.
Working in collaboration with award-winning artists, Neil Musson and Jono Retallick, and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, organisers at the cathedral are calling on local community members to create their own wax sculptures, which will form part of a major new art installation.
Based on the theme of ‘giving thanks’, the sculptures are to represent something for which each individual is grateful. Public workshops will take place throughout April and May to create the wax figures, as well as sessions with local schools and community groups such as Exeter College and Cameron Mills Group.
Artists, Neil and Jono, said they were delighted to be collaborating with the local community for the ambitious project:
“We are really excited to be working on such a unique and special project. Each object, or votive, will explore the subject of ‘giving thanks’ and is a response to the unique collection of ancient wax votives found at the cathedral following the bombing of 1942.”
The project is inspired by Exeter Cathedral’s unique collection of medieval wax votives. Made of hollow beeswax, the moulded votive offerings were hung around the tomb of 15th century Bishop of Exeter, Edmund Lacy, by pilgrims seeking cures through his saintly influence. The offerings usually represented individual limbs that the pilgrims required healing. During the Reformation, the practice of leaving offerings was stopped and Lacy’s tomb was defaced. In 1942, the offerings were rediscovered behind a stone canopy above the tomb, while repairs were carried out following Second World War bomb damage. The collection of votives is now considered to be of great importance as there are no other survivals of this kind in Britain. Like the medieval votives, the new collection of wax figures will be made from beeswax, sourced from local Devon beekeepers.
For Lis Spencer, Community Outreach and Partnerships Officer at Exeter Cathedral, the project will give Devon’s communities a unique opportunity to engage with their heritage. She explained:
“The workshops are a unique chance to learn more about Exeter Cathedral’s collection of medieval wax votives, while also having a go at making your very own figure. Anyone of any age is welcome to have a go at producing their own carving and all contributions will be included in From the Vow Made – a landmark sculptural installation to be displayed in Exeter Cathedral’s nave this summer.”