From 27 July – 30 August 2022, Liverpool Cathedral will be exploring what it means to be human.
Being Human Exhibition
This new exhibition, from renowned artist and sculptor Peter Walker, will reflect on what makes us who we are, by exploring connection, creativity, identity, and reflection.
While visiting the Being Human Exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral, you’ll have the opportunity to view multiple artworks located at different points around the cathedral and explore what it means to be human.
The heart of the exhibition will be a sculpture entitled Connection, inspired by Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’. A contemporary twist on the Renaissance masterpiece, which depicts God’s hand reaching out to meet Adam’s finger, the striking installation features two giant hands, each standing at two metres tall and equivalent in height to an average front door.
Visiting Being Human
Being Human at Liverpool Cathedral is available to visit between 27 July - 30 August. The Cathedral is open daily between 10am - 6pm. Please note that on Sundays, you will not be able to access the front part of the cathedral until 12pm due to our services. Any scheduled changes to opening hours are here.
You don’t need to book to visit us, and viewing the installation is completely free.
You can find out more info about visiting us, including how to find us, parking, accessibility, and facilities, here.
If you would like to help us support the work we do or play your part in maintaining and restoring our magnificent building, you can donate an amount of your choosing, here.
Being Human: Connection
Connection is situated under the Dulverton bridge. This large-scale sculpture of two hands symbolises our connection to each other. The hands, each measuring two metres high, are the gateway to the series of artworks that make up the Being Human exhibition.
They are inspired by a part of Michelangelo's ‘Creation of Adam’ where God's hand reaches out to meet Adam's finger, Peter based his concept on this classic story but has given it a contemporary twist by using female hands.
You can interpret the sculpture in many ways. You may wish to stand between the hands or snap a photo as you take in the sheer scale and vastness of the space the hands occupy. If you’ve visited the cathedral with another person, you may wish to reach out for their hand, and connect with them.
Peter hopes this sculpture inspires you to reach out to people in your own community.
If you would like to change the colour of the large hands which make up the connection installation, whilst supporting the work of Liverpool Cathedral, you can text Cathedral + the colour of your choosing to 70152. This will provide the Cathedral with a £2 donation, and allow you to change the colour of the lights for a minimum of 30 seconds. We thank you for your generous support.
Colour options are:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Cyan
- Pink
- Purple
For a more detailed interpretation of this installation, click here.
Being Human: Creativity
Creativity takes place in the Derby Transept. Here, Peter has recreated an artist’s studio space, which has been populated with some tools of the trade, as well as some of his previous works.
As you encounter sculptures, paintings, and drawings, you may wish to think about how you express your own creativity, and what this means to you. As Peter display’s his artist’s existential view of humanity, you may wish to think about your own.
You can find a full list of artworks on display, and a more detailed interpretation of this installation, click here.
Being Human: Identity
As humans, we all have our own unique and complex identity, and in this section of the installation, located in the Derby Transept, you will become the star of the show.
In the Identity element of Being Human, Peter has taken inspiration from the traditional photo booth. You will be able to take a photo of yourself, that Peter will then use to create an installation that will arrive at Liverpool Cathedral in 2023. For just a few minutes, your image will appear on a framed TV screen on an easel so you become the star of your own piece of art in the Cathedral. Once somebody else sits for the ‘artist’, your personal artwork disappears.
For a more detailed interpretation of this installation, click here.
Being Human: Reflection
Memories and moments of reflection are core parts of being human. In recent years, many of us who have experienced great loss and disconnect from our fellow humans have found new hope and connection with nature.
The reflection section of the installation is made up over 5,000 metal leaves, each engraved with the word ‘hope’. The leaves within the artwork transition in colour from silver to autumn brown.
The leaves provide a remembrance area for Liverpool to reflect upon covid pandemic and while providing space for you to contemplate your feelings and memories of loved ones.
You may wish to become a part of the artwork by writing a message on a paper leaf. If you’d like to take this reflection away with you, individual leaves are available to purchase in person through the Cathedral shop.
For a more detailed interpretation of this installation, click here.
About the artist: Peter Walker
Peter Walker is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors.
An internationally renowned sculptor and artist, he produces sculptures, paintings, drawings, installation pieces, and Son-et-Lumiere for large-scale public art events.
Peter has created many public artworks. His work is in public and private collections internationally, including at the British Embassy in Dubai and Paris, The Collections of Limburg (Germany), St Chads Cathedral (Canada), Chester Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, and University Church in Oxford amongst others. He was the artist behind our Peace Doves artwork which was finally installed in 2021, following the pandemic.
