Discover the remarkable story of Dame Elisabeth Frink’s sacred commissions in a new feature for Art UK, written by Liverpool Cathedral’s Head of Cultural Programme, Elisa Nocente.
From Coventry Cathedral to Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and finally Liverpool Cathedral, the article explores how Frink’s powerful sculptures shaped modern sacred art and became enduring symbols of hope, resilience and faith.
Read an extract below, then discover the full story on Art UK.
This story traces the extraordinary four-decade career of Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993) through the sacred commissions that defined her legacy. Her journey as a public artist began with a vigorous bronze eagle lectern commissioned for Coventry Cathedral, a post-war breakthrough that showcased the raw, daring energy of youth.
A few years later, she created a high altar bronze Crucifix for Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, merging the human form with the cross in an all-embracing gesture. In the 1990s, while courageously battling cancer, Frink completed her final masterpiece – the majestic, 14-foot Risen Christ commissioned for Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Unveiled just days before her passing in 1993, this final work, along with her earlier cathedral pieces, stands as a powerful testament to hope, human resilience, and modern sacred art.
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