Hundreds of children from schools in central London are demonstrating their talents as part of an art exhibition in Southwark Cathedral.
International development agency Christian Aid has teamed up with The Southwark Cathedral Learning Centre, a charity which delivers education programming at the cathedral, to find out how children feel about climate change and its effects on the planet.
As part of an initiative called Letters for Creation youngsters from six primary schools and one secondary school took part in workshops held by The Learning Centre.
Education officer, Emily Harris, explained: “The pupils visited the cathedral to see Luke Jerram’s touring art installation Gaia which is a seven-metre diameter globe suspended in the air and rotating, giving an astronaut’s view of Earth.
“During a workshop which introduced the young people to Letters for Creation and looked at what others around the world are saying about climate justice through art, they then worked on their own pastel drawings which have formed the basis for our main piece, on display behind the font.
“I think it’s been fantastic to give young people an opportunity to have their personal responses to these issues communicated and displayed and it’s had a powerful effect on people who have seen it. It’s a great way to engage everyone with messages about climate justice.”
Artist Adalberto Lonardi worked with The Learning Centre on the final piece – a triptych – incorporating the original artwork.
He said: “I visited Southwark Cathedral and when I saw the font I knew the artwork had to go there and I felt a triptych would work best.
“My main interest is in community projects and the relationship between children and older people. Within that there are different themes, including the planet and climate justice.
“We asked the children to show the good and bad of climate justice and what impressed me the most was how clear their visions were, with many showing the world split in two halves and offering views from different perspectives.”
Letters for Creation aims to help communities raise their voices on the issue of climate change. Those taking part are asked to come up with creative ways of showing their feelings about the environment and their hopes for the planet.??
Josh Grear, Children and Young People Project Officer with Christian Aid, said: “The artwork created at Southwark Cathedral sits alongside other creations from around the UK and beyond, in communities most affected by climate change.
“There is a wonderful mix of challenging calls for justice, as well as some powerful and hopeful visions for a just and sustainable future for everyone no matter where they are in the world.
“Christian Aid is proud to have been able to showcase works of art in parliament, at Lambeth Conference with Bishops from around the world, at the Greenbelt festival, as well as in cathedrals, schools and churches around the UK. We have seen leaders and communities inspired and challenged by these amazing pieces. Letters for Creation is just one small way in which young people and their wider communities are using their voices and actions to call for a fairer world for everyone.”
The exhibition is on display at Southwark Cathedral throughout May – visit the website for opening times.
