Sean Henry is currently showing 28 sculptures in a four-month solo exhibtion at Ely Cathedral, entitled "Am I My Brother's Keeper?"
The show has been curated by visual arts advisor Jacquiline Creswell, who says “ In a world so often plagued by division and indifference, the question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ can be interpreted as an enquiry into one’s moral responsibility towards others. It prompts reflection on the extent to which individuals should support each other and recognises our interconnectedness and the importance of looking out for one another. Within the context of a sacred space it’s about opening up discussions and fostering a sense of unity and community. Through acts of compassion and understanding, we can move toward creating a world where no one is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Sean says “It is a privelege to be able to install some of my sculptures in and around the ancient space of Ely Cathedral and I'm grateful for the opportunity. The sculptures, while often inspired by aspects of real people, are rarely portraits, and their status is often ambiguous. I'm more interested in what it is to be human and am inspired by a felt sense of shared humanity.
Visual art is by nature non-verbal, so I resist giving each piece more than the broad outline of a story. I prefer the way that meanings and motivations within artworks can come alive in the mind of the viewer and invite the viewer to fill in the detail should they wish. Often, the narrative is impacted by the environment in which we discover art. The unique environment of Ely Cathedral provides a sense of multi-generational history, of the lives both great and forgotten that have touched this building. I'm interested in how this history impacts our viewing and the connections between sculpture and viewer.”
Art historian Tom Flynn says "Through vigorously expressive modelling and changes in scale Henry imbues his figures with a powerful psychological presence. His figures confound the historical expectation of figurative monuments, in that they bring an emotional charge that engages rather than belittles the viewer. They do not glorify individuals but reflect the striving for connection within humanity, something that is reinforced by the responses people have to his work”
More information on the works in the exhibition to be confirmed shortly.