Living Water

As part of a programme of events in 2025 under the theme of water, the Living Water exhibition sought to explore the theme in different ways through the lens of contemporary art.

Water is a force of nature – sustaining life, shaping landscapes, and carrying stories across generations. Rivers, lakes, and oceans define the places we lived and the people we became.

The Bible speaks of ‘living water’ as a symbol of spiritual nourishment – dynamic, cleansing, and life-giving. In our time, the need for water is greater than ever, yet the effects of climate change, such as drought, flooding, land erosion, and intense human activity, impacts communities worldwide.

Living Water brought together artists who explored water as both a symbol and an influence that shaped our world. The power of the sea resonated in Lubaina Himid’s work, tracing hidden histories of colonial trade routes and suppressed Black narratives. Phoebe Boswell’s Dwelling highlighted water as a space of both safety and exclusion, while Ryan Mosley’s paintings transformed boats into communal stages where human interaction unfolded.

Joy Hillyer’s paintings captured the movement of water across the nearby water meadows of the Ebble, balancing human intervention with natural cycles. This sense of flow was echoed in Ro Robertson’s Alcove sculpture, reflecting the ever-changing meeting points of land and sea, as well as spaces of transition and transformation. At the heart of the Cathedral, William Pye’s sculptural baptismal font transformed water into a reflective surface, inviting wonder and contemplation.

Together, these works asked us to consider our natural connection to water and how we might protect this life-giving force for future generations.

Living Water was kindly supported by the Henry Moore Foundation, the Arts Society Sarum, and public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We were grateful to our Art Champions, Trevor and Susan Branch.

Curated by Beth Hughes and Mollie Barnes.