Oldest Cathedral In UK Teams With Graffiti Artist To Take Street Art To Church

In a departure from the typical stained glass windows that often appear in churches, St Albans Cathedral—Britain’s oldest place of Christian worship—is collaborating with graffiti artist Ant Steel to bring street art into the holy site.

No, Steel won’t be using the cathedral’s stone walls as a free-for-all canvas. Instead, the artist will be working with the community, including the likes of children, asylum seekers, and refugees, to create large-scale art pieces on boards for an upcoming exhibition in November.

According to Artnet News, the Cathedral approached the painter after learning about his public workshops at the St Albans Film Festival, deciding to add him to its roster of artists-in-residence, which was started back in 2018.

Kevin Walton, the Cathedral’s Canon Chancellor, told the publication the institution wants to help “support local artists,” and that this time, Steel’s “fresh and engaging artistic offer” matches up with its community-centered approach.

Through this program, perhaps the landmark can redefine itself for the modern era as not just a site of worship, but one that brings the community together as “a beacon of hope,” as Steel puts it.

Head here to check out more of Steel’s projects and works.

[via Artnet News and BBC, images by Ant Steel and featured with permission]