STUDENTS exploring themes behind a recent art exhibition led to the inspiration for a banner now on display at Salisbury Cathedral.
Students from the Wiltshire College and University Centre had a tour of the 'To Be Free 'exhibition with Visual Arts Curator, Beth Hughes and Ed Hall who is one of Britain’s leading banner makers. He showed them two banners he had brought with him explaining the background, the development, meaning and purpose.
Education officer at Salisbury Cathedral, Katharine Dolphin said: “The students designed individual mood boards which Ed used to create the final banner design. The students were encouraged to consider the themes of the exhibition, as well as the surrounding environment of the Cathedral and the city of Salisbury."
A variety of materials were used combining different colours, and textures.
Ed Halls said: “The design is traditional, but I hope it allows those who see it to think of the world today and what concerns young people. The title, To Be Free, is a direct reference to the 1215 Magna Carta displayed in the Cathedral and the recent art exhibition.
“Many millions of people in the world today are not free to speak freely, dress as they would wish and elect the governments they want.”
He considered the rainbow which appeared in many of the students’ sketches as a symbol of equality, as did the globe and a design for animals’ rights.
Ed said: “It was interesting to me that the students use dress, hairstyles, and T-shirt slogans, as freedom of expression. Some of their clothing referenced the gothic too, which was useful because I wanted to use the gothic arch to illustrate the Cathedral.
“For me, the arch represents internationalism. The Gothic style was developed in France but inspired by the arches of the Middle East, which many would have seen during their time in Crusader kingdoms. In the 1200s the pointed arch was also a structural breakthrough, so I have used it as a symbol of modernism in the banner.”
In the finished piece, students are represented by figures standing in front of a gothic arch with the title 'To Be Free' above and a slogan from contemporary rap below.
Deputy head of Faculty, Creative Arts, Media and Performance at Wiltshire College & University Centre, Tracey Nichols said: “We were delighted to be involved in this exciting project and would like to thank Salisbury Cathedral for inviting us to be part of the collaboration. The theme ‘To be free’ really resonated with many of our students.”
The 'To Be Free' banner is on display in the Morning Chapel until Tuesday, November 24.
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