Paedophile artist’s cathedral sculptures under review by church
ERIC GILL statues adorning an Anglican cathedral are under review, as the church becomes the first to address the paedophile artist’s works.
The artist, posthumously revealed to have sexually abused his daughters, created sculptures of John the Baptist and Christ on the Cross that are built into the exterior of Guildford Cathedral in Surrey.
Clerics and lay staff are now reviewing the statues to address the “pain caused” by Gill, and the Church of England has offered to support local clergy to tackle his “abhorrent” legacy.
Discussions among cathedral administrators come after the artist’s Ariel and Prospero sculpture at the BBC’S headquarters was attacked by a protester wielding a hammer, who daubed “noose all peados” [sic] on the statue.
Nicola Pratt, head of development at Guildford Cathedral, said: “The cathedral chapter [is] considering any new interpretation which may need [to] be added to acknowledge the wrongdoings of Gill and the pain caused to others.” The chapter, which administers the Grade II listed building, is understood to be considering what form any intervention to address Gill’s legacy would take, and this intervention may not be the last launched by clergy.
Another sculpture by Gill depicting Jesus on the Cross adorns the St Thomas the Apostle Anglican church in Hanwell, London, and a memorial relief created by the artist is displayed in the village church of St Mary the Virgin in Lapworth, Warwickshire.
Other works in local parishes include a memorial to socialite Lady Ottoline Morell in the parish church of St Mary in Garsington, Oxfordshire.
The Church of England has said support will be given to local parishes who wish to address Gill’s legacy following the protest against his public work.
A spokesman said: “Eric Gill’s crimes, posthumously revealed, are abhorrent.
“Comprehensive lists of his art already exist, giving parishes and cathedrals the opportunity to review individually in response to their particular circumstances, and in consultation with their communities.
“The Church Buildings Council and Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England supports parishes and cathedrals with this as needed.”
The church in Surrey has indicated that, as with work to address legacies of racism and slavery, there will be no topdown review, but support will be given to local parishes who choose to act.
Work on the building of Guildford Cathedral begun in 1936, before Gill’s death in 1940.