One thousand paper Doves of Peace have been suspended from the ceiling of the University of Winchester chapel, in an art installation which aims to bring hope for the future.
The origami doves have been created by students and staff along with members of local churches, schools and community groups.
The team at the University were inspired by pictures of art installations in cathedrals around the country and the desire of students to show solidarity with people facing war across the world.
University Chaplain Revd Sue Hart said, “There was an increasing feeling that we were picking up from people coming into the chapel of anxiety about events in the world and the escalation of war. There’s worry and sadness about Gaza and Israel and the Ukrainian war. I think that crystallised our sense that it would be good to do something overt in the chapel that says we have not given up hope, that we still hope for a world that is at peace, for a world where people are prepared to listen to each other rather than take up arms.
“We thought creating something visual, where people can spend some time in this beautiful contemplative space, would be a tiny thing that we could do to say ‘there is another story here and we believe that God is working to bring about peace on earth.’”
Revd Sue sent out invitations to organisations in the area with instructions on how to make their doves. Among the groups involved in the project were St Paul’s Church Fulford, Voices for Peace Winchester, St Mary’s Bentworth CE Primary School, St. Leonard’s Church Sherfield and Stanmore Primary School.
A special interfaith service was held in the chapel last week to unveil the installation with music performed by the chapel choir.
Revd Sue added, “I found the interfaith service incredibly moving. I was praying alongside my Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish chaplain colleagues and friends and everybody was speaking or praying in their own tradition, but we were all united in our longing for peace on earth”.
The paper birds form a huge fan shape above the altar and will remain on view until 19th September from 10am to 4pm each day.
Revd Sue continued, “I always hope that people will encounter God in some way when they come here, whatever that means to them. I hope that they will find a sense of peace, a sense of love, a sense of acceptance and perhaps, a little call to think about how their lives might impact the work for peace. When we think about the global situation, we can become overwhelmed and feel there’s not a lot we can do. But I do think peace begins with ourselves and the way that we treat each other, listen to and speak to each other.”
Revd Sue hopes the installation will encourage and inspire other churches and community groups to act too. She said, “I’d love to see the movement spread. I’m not a particularly arty person, but I think there’s something special about the community aspect of this, and art, music and creativity are so important. I think when the world is under pressure, we can tend to see those as almost nice-to-haves rather than essentials, but they are essential. It’s these things that move the human spirit, to think big and important thoughts, and thoughts of love and justice and peace. I suppose what I would like to see is other people being inspired, to think, ‘what can we do to help spread that inspiration’. It would be nice, if somebody came away and thought, yeah, we’re going to do something too.”
