Norwich Cathedral

View from a choir stall

You've probably never heard of Ana Maria Pacheco,

I certainly hadn't until today when I came across some of her

work being exhibited in Norwich Cathedral.

Spooky or what?

What's more she has another two exhibitions running

concurrently in the City at the moment, at the Castle

and the Catholic Cathedral too.  Originally from Brazil, Ana

studied at the Slade from 1985-1989 and went on to become

Head of Fine Art at the former Norwich Art School, now

the NUA, and she now currently lives and works in Kent.

Quick run for your life.  Does Dr Who know about this lot?

"Shadows of the Wanderer" is installed in the Cathedral's North

Transept and rather disturbing it is too.  The work reflects on

concerns about migration and displaced peoples and believe you me

if ever I come across a displaced one of her figures on a dark

night my sole concern will be to get as far away from it as possible

at the fastest wharp speed my little legs will manage.

It would be even more fun if they filled it with chocolate again.

But all is not doom and gloom in the Cathedral.  They seem to have

acquired a jolly new font fashioned from a redundant copper vat

formerly used in one of Norwich's chocolate factories.  Perhaps it

should be "christened" "Charley" or even "Willy Wonka".

Apologies for my wanton use of puns but I just couldn't resist.

I just couldn't "cope" with it all.

There was also another very fine and hands on exhibition in

the Cathedral today of church embroidery and it's conservation,

more of which later as it deserves a post all to itself.

I think one of those figures has got loose.

But do you want to know why I really love our Cathedral?

Not because it's so alive and unafraid of change (Rochester

please take note); not because of it's wealth of wood carvings

which are simply fabulous; certainly not because of all the

swarms of children busily engaged in noisy holiday projects but

BECAUSE THEY ALLOW DOGS IN!!!

Little Rosie

Meet Rosie.  She's a whippet/collie cross.

I bumped into her in the cloisters where we exchanged

sniffs and licks before going our separate ways.