Three giant sperm whale sculptures will be suspended inside a historic cathedral as part of a striking new art installation highlighting the effects of climate change.
Whales, created by British artist and sculptor Tessa Campbell Fraser, will take over the nave of Rochester Cathedral for almost a month, inviting visitors to reflect on humanity’s impact on the oceans and the global environment.
Whales, the art installation by Tessa Campbell Fraser, is coming to Rochester Cathedral. Picture: Supplied by Rochester Cathedral
The installation features three life-size whales made from recycled ghost fishing nets, silk chiffon and latex.
The semi-transparent appearance of the sculptures symbolises the threat facing marine life from rising sea temperatures and plastic pollution.
Tessa, who won the AHI Engaging People Award for the exhibition, said: “In sculpting the whales as I have – transparently, using ghost netting – I want to convey the need for mankind to realise that these magnificent mammals will not exist in our world if we don’t act now to reduce catastrophic global warming and plastic pollution in our oceans.
“Rising sea temperatures will disrupt the entire ecological balance and, alongside plastic pollution, cause these great emblematic creatures to become mere ghosts to us, transparent in the extreme.”
The installation invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of whales and reflect on humanity’s ecological impact on oceans. Picture: Supplied by Rochester Cathedral
Alongside the installation, the cathedral will also host a programme of sea-themed events, including concerts, family activities, sea shanties and a special performance by the BBC Big Band.
The artwork will be free to view during the day, with some ticketed evening and group events available. You can book online here.
The Whales exhibition will be at Rochester Cathedral from Tuesday, February 10 to Saturday, March 7.