A stunning new art installation is expected to see visitors flock to Derby Cathedral as thousands of paper Peace Doves take flight within the historic building.
Created by renowned artist and sculptor Peter Walker, the new installation features around 8,000 paper doves suspended on ribbon above the nave of the Cathedral, accompanied by a soundscape from composer David Harper.
Already one of the most-visited attractions in the city, the Cathedral – which has one of the highest church towers in the country – will see the Peace Doves ‘flying’ high between 23 April and 12 June 2022.
A mass participation large-scale art installation, the doves will be decorated with messages of peace, love and hope by local children, community groups and the public, reflecting the thoughts and feelings of Derby citizens from all faiths, ages and backgrounds
Sculptor and artist Peter Walker has a national and international reputation for his artwork, while composer David Harper’s musical credits include film, TV and theatre, and this latest creation follows other highly acclaimed light and sound installations across the country.
Booking is advised and entry is free, with a suggested entry donation of £3 per person, to benefit the care and work of the Cathedral.
Derby Cathedral, itself, provides a spectacular setting for the new artwork.
Rich in history, among the Cathedrals highlights are the tomb of Bess of Hardwick; a memorial to Florence Nightingale, who had strong connections to Derbyshire and the city; and an impressive wrought iron screen by Robert Bakewell, one of the country’s leading ironsmiths of the 18th-Century.
And listen out for the bells too – they are the oldest set of 10 bells in the world, one of which was cast in 1520, during the reign of Henry VIII, and is still in use today.
More details on the Peace Doves installation, and to book, see https://derbycathedral.org
For tourist information about Derby, see www.visitderby.co.uk
