A group of sculptures by Sean Henry are currently on display in a four-month exhibition at Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, entitled "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" which runs until September 1st.
The 28 works on show have been curated by visual arts advisor Jacquiline Creswell, who says “ In a world so often plagued by division and indifference, the question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ can be interpreted as an enquiry into one’s moral responsibility towards others. It prompts reflection on the extent to which individuals should support each other and recognises our interconnectedness and the importance of looking out for one another. Within the context of a sacred space it’s about opening up discussions and fostering a sense of unity and community. Through acts of compassion and understanding, we can move toward creating a world where no one is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
In the exhibition catalogue Joseph Antenucci Becherer PhD (Director of the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art) says "Sean Henry’s masterful installation at Ely Cathedral is a calm consideration of both past and present. His sculptures have long been a rich and reflective mirror on the place and times in which we live. They are brought forward into being by his intense observations of the people we are and a careful rendering of form that shies away from any sense of commercialism that so much of contemporary realism in the art world conveys. Instead, there is a profound and sincere engagement with the history of sculpture. The context of an installation of such work in a beloved Medieval cathedral offers the gravitas of the centuries, but Henry’s figures offer the breath of daily life that present day audiences can sense."
Sean comments “It is a privelege to be able to install my sculptures in and around the ancient space of Ely Cathedral and I am grateful for the opportunity. The sculptures, while often inspired by aspects of real people, are rarely portraits, and their status is often ambiguous. Visual art is by nature non-verbal, and I resist giving each piece more than the broad outline of a story. I prefer the way that meanings and motivations within the artworks form in the mind of the viewer, allowing the viewer space to engage with the sculptures on their own terms. Of course, art's potential narrative is impacted by the environment in which we encounter it. The unique environment of Ely Cathedral provides a sense of multi-generational history, of the lives both great and forgotten that have touched this building. I'm interested in how this history impacts our viewing and affects the connections between sculpture and viewer.”
Art historian Tom Flynn says of Sean's work "Through vigorously expressive modelling and changes in scale Henry imbues his figures with a powerful psychological presence. His figures confound the historical expectation of figurative monuments, in that they bring an emotional charge that engages rather than belittles the viewer. They do not glorify individuals but reflect the striving for connection within humanity, something that is reinforced by the responses people have to his work”
More information on the works in the exhibition to be confirmed shortly.