Crafting the Cathedral is an exhibition bringing together contemporary craft artefacts, created and designed as a personal response to Hereford Cathedral by students from HCA’s BA (Hons) Contemporary Design Crafts and BA (Hons) Jewellery Design courses.

The exhibition, which is in its fourth year, displays students work created in response to the objects and furnishings of the cathedral. After receiving a guided tour, which focused on the art and history of the building, students set to work on designs in their chosen discipline.

The resulting exhibition showcases a range of pieces, each exploring the students’ personal interpretation of the cathedral fabric in their own way; from delicate metal work to ceramics and automata.

Libby Vale, Lecturer and Module Lead, said ‘we are thrilled to be back in the Crypt again. It has been a challenging time for these students with their studies being disrupted by lockdowns, but they have thrived. Kitchen tables were turned into workspaces and they created interesting things with what they had a hand, which I feel has given then an ingenious nature and a real thirst toward their practice now, we are doubly proud of their achievements.’

Dr Rosemary Firman, Cathedral Librarian, said ‘it’s wonderful to welcome the students back. This is the fourth year that we have hosted ‘Crafting the Cathedral’ and each time I am astonished by the students’ inventiveness and ideas. This year they have produced a wide variety of accomplished and thought-provoking works, which include a beautiful iteration in ceramic of the concept of the Trinity and a fun take on Mappa Mundi creatures, more cuddly than fearsome’.

The exhibition opens to the public in the Crypt of Hereford Cathedral from Saturday 29 January and runs until Monday 28 February 2022. For details of opening times, please visit the cathedral website.