Textures and Contrasts of Light

From putting the spotlight on stunning architectural detail around Norwich Cathedral to taking a closer look at intriguing medieval graffiti etched on its ancient walls - pupils from a city school captured on camera unique snapshots of the Cathedral for the latest exhibition in the Hostry.

Called Textures and Contrasts of Light, the exhibition featured the photographs of year 10 pupils from Open Academy and ran from 8 June until 2 July 2022.

The 14 and 15-year-old photographers, many of who visited the Cathedral for the first time for the project, were tasked with taking pictures that celebrated the many different textures and contrasts of light found around the centuries-old building.

They spent a day at the Cathedral, learning about its history from the Cathedral guides and enjoying a photography workshop before exploring the building individually with their own cameras. The result was a wonderful collection of work looking at the Cathedral with fresh eyes.

Open Academy art and photography teacher Terry Thurston said: “The Open Academy students have created an amazing collection of photographs demonstrating their passion for taking photos. They've done an amazing job at producing interesting and considered photographs that reflect the magnificence of the Cathedral. "The students have produced an eclectic range of photographs depicting the Cathedral in many different ways, working hard to not only look for the ordinary but also the often overlooked and smallest parts of the building. The students have been able to successfully show the many different viewpoints of the Cathedral, capturing scenes that show the Cathedral at its most breath-taking and intimate. “Many of the students used the texture of the building to highlight its history, some focused on the carved graffiti, others on the worn stone steps. Other students wanted to draw attention to the relationship between people and the building, using the contrasts of light to show the scale of the building compared to people.”

The Revd Dr Peter Doll, the Cathedral’s Acting Dean and Canon Librarian, said: “It was wonderful to welcome pupils from Open Academy to Norwich Cathedral and to see them enjoying exploring the building with their cameras. “The photographic work that they have created is exceptional and offers a fascinating fresh insight into the Cathedral.