ARTWORK created by two University of Worcester academics, appointed artists in residence at the city’s Cathedral, has gone on display.

Pippa Galpin and Maureen Gamble have completed a two-year project creating pieces of art inspired by the historic surroundings of the cathedral.

They will be exhibiting a selection of their work in the south quire aisle of the cathedral until Monday, January 31.

Many members of the public attended their open studio event in December 2009 and contributed to their work in progress either by interacting directly with it or through discussion, which helped to inform their work.

Ms Gamble has kept a visual weekly diary throughout the last year and has made entries at the same time each week in direct response to what she has observed in various parts of the building.

She has also created an ‘Archived Collection’ of her research which questions boundaries between real and imaginary, public and private.

“Each item in the collection relates to the space in some way, either through association, or in response to an observation made,” she said.

Ms Galpin was interested in how the space has been used throughout the centuries and has taken ceramic impressions of the floor, which evidence where people have walked, knelt and touched.

She has created ‘Tablets of Stone’, an installation of 10 floor-mounted pieces, made in response to the architecture of the space in its spiritual, social, historical and cultural aspects.

“I wanted to capture the space through the sense of touch, looking at where the building was worn,” Ms Galpin said.

The University of Worcester Artist in Residency at Worcester Cathedral scheme was first set up in 2004, as a partnership between the university and cathedral.

One or two artists are selected each year, giving them the opportunity to use the cathedral space as a site for their art practice and access to university resources and equipment.

Artists have responded in different ways using ceramics, found objects, sculptural form, painting, installation, film and photography.

The pair, who are both members of academic staff at the University of Worcester’s Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts, were appointed on a two-year residency which finished in December.

The Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, said: “The artist in residency scheme is one more sign of the partnership of Worcester Cathedral and the University of Worcester.

We at the cathedral have been very glad to offer a space in which Maureen and Pippa have been able to work.

“This exhibition offers all of us an opportunity to see the cathedral through their eyes.”