Norwich Cathedral’s Benedictine heritage explored in new exhibition

Norwich Cathedral’s beginnings as a Benedictine monastery continue to inspire life at the Cathedral in the 21st century, and a new open-air art exhibition explores the Cathedral’s Benedictine heritage past and present through a series of specially commissioned installations.

Three artists have teamed up with three local charities to create the artworks which reflect the Benedictine themes of healing and wholeness, hospitality and contemplative learning.

Called the Benedictine Art Project, the free exhibition in the Cathedral Close is open for all to explore and runs until Autumn 2026.

The Revd Dr Peter Doll, Norwich Cathedral’s Canon Librarian and Vice Dean, who has led the project, said: “Despite being some 1500 years old, the Rule of St Benedict continues to be a living document.

"Besides being the basis of the life of thousands of monastic communities around the world, it shapes the life and values of Norwich Cathedral, it has animated the ‘Living by the Rule’ exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre, and it has inspired the responses of artists, schoolchildren, charitable organisations and the varied communities they support, made visible in these three installations in the Cathedral Close.

"We hope that visitors will be similarly inspired by these interactions between the ancient and the contemporary.”

Visitors can enjoy discovering the works in three different areas of the Cathedral Close.

A large abstract recreation of the Church of St Ethelbert draped in the cloak of St Martin can be found in Almary Green, close to the Ethelbert Gate entrance to the Cathedral Close. Entitled the Cloak of St Martin, the work is a collaboration between artist Hardy Gru and local homelessness charity St Martins.

Outside the Hostry, visitors will see two old doors transformed into a tabletop covered with plates featuring recipes from around the world. The Hospitality of Abraham was the idea of artist Deborah Tompsett who has worked with English+, a Norwich-based charity helping those who are starting new lives in the city.

Completing the trio of works is The Light Comes from All Sides, an installation in the Cloister which has been created by artist Lily Bunney and Diocese of Norwich schools. Here ancient book cupboards, once used by the Benedictine monks, have been decorated with stained glass inspired by the Cloister and the medieval roof bosses which adorn the ancient architecture.

The Benedictine Art Project has been designed to complement an exhibition taking place at the Sainsbury Centre which reflects on the enduring influence of St Benedict.

Living by the Rule: Contemporary Meets Medieval runs from May to October 2026 and the Cathedral is pleased to have loaned the Sainsbury Centre a number of objects from its collections for the exhibition.

Norwich Cathedral is also hosting a special series of Benedictine lectures throughout June to September 2026, looking at everything from Benedictine book-culture to missionary monks and business with Benedict.

The Dean and Chapter gratefully acknowledge the Farmington Institute, Oxford, for funding the Benedictine Art Project, and Norwich University of the Arts for their advice and support.

The Benedictine Art Project runs from Sunday 17 May until Sunday 4 October 2026 in Norwich Cathedral Close.

The exhibition is free and open to all. Please note that the Cloister closes at 6pm every day but Almary Green and the area outside the Hostry are open in the evening.

For the full details of Norwich Cathedral’s Benedictine Art Project and series of Benedictine lectures, visit www.cathedral.org.uk/benedictine

Below are more details about each of the three installations along with quotes from the artists and the organisations involved.

The Cloak of St Martin – Hardy Gru

Located at Almary Green, the site of the monastic almonry which gave assistance to the poor.

This installation combines reminders of the Church of St Ethelbert, which stood near this site, and of the cloak of St Martin. He was a Roman soldier in the fourth century who, when confronted in Amiens by a naked beggar, gave him half of his cloak. In a subsequent dream, Jesus revealed himself to Martin as that beggar.

This work has been created in collaboration with St Martins Housing Trust, a Norwich-based charity which aims to help the homeless build a better life in Norwich and Norfolk.

Artist Hardy Gru said: “It’s a place of contemplation, a place of healing and to be still, and to find the church within ourselves. It is a space that is open and welcoming with no walls or doors.

“Through building this project with local people, I really learned a lot about Norwich and the community, and how important people are to each other here. It’s very good to see, a very open and welcoming place.”

Dr Jan Sheldon, Chief Executive of St Martins, said: “It has been wonderful seeing the Cloak of St Martin take shape, and for the people we support to be involved in its design. The Cloak is symbol of protection, generosity, and shared shelter and we hope that visitors will be inspired and moved by it.”

The Hospitality of Abraham – Deborah Tompsett

Located outside the Hostry entrance, where guests to the monastery were welcomed.

Two old reclaimed wooden doors become a temporary tabletop inlaid with ceramic plates decorated with recipes and foods from across the world. The sculpture is a response to St Benedict’s instruction ‘Let all guests that come be received like Christ, for he will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25.35).

This work has been created in collaboration with English+, a Norwich-based charity which offers English language classes, community activities and practical support to those who are new to the city.

Artist Deborah Tompsett said: “The installation was inspired by the Benedictine rule to welcome the stranger. It is a big table at which everyone is welcome and everyone brings their stories.

“The idea developed so that English+ students could share recipes from their home countries, and food became the language in which everyone could tell their stories.”

Rosie Sexton, English+ Charity Director, said: “Students at English+ were keen to take part in decorating plates with favourite food memories from their home countries. They loved the painting session, sharing their food traditions whilst many incorporated symbols from their home countries too. It built a feeling of being part of the Norwich community through contributing to the exhibition.”

The Light Comes From All Sides - Lily Bunney

Located in the Cloister, a place of contemplative prayer and reading and writing in the medieval monastery.

Inspired by the contemplative atmosphere of the Cloister and its delicately carved roof bosses, the artwork features stained glass made of hand-strung beads within the frame of ancient book cupboards.

This work has been created in collaboration with children from St Nicholas Priory School, Great Yarmouth, and Walsingham CE VA Primary School.

Artist Lily Bunney said: “The Light Comes From All Sides reflects the history of contemplative study and deep worship practised in the Cloisters using contemporary images and collages put together by children from two local Norfolk schools.

“The schoolchildren also helped make the work, which is made from glass beads strung together and works in dialogue with the stained glass in the Cathedral.

“What struck me most throughout the whole project was the deep beauty found both in the Cathedral and in the community it fostered. I wanted my work to capture that awe that I felt, the devotion to people I saw in the schools, and the generosity of the children I worked with.”

Chris Allen, Director of Education at the Diocese of Norwich, said: “The Education Team at the Diocese of Norwich has been delighted to play a part in the Benedictine Art Project with Norwich Cathedral. It has been a privilege to help shape the concept of Contemplative Learning, one of the project’s key Benedictine themes.

“Engaging schools from the Diocese in developing the artist’s brief—and then working alongside the artist to create the Cloister installation—has been a truly rewarding and creative journey.

“The Diocese has supported this work by funding a year-long engagement programme for each school, culminating in this installation.

“We are confident that pupils from each school will be excited to return to the Cathedral for their final visit; to see the completed installation in place and to celebrate the journey they have been part of.”