JD Vance calls Canterbury Cathedral exhibit 'ugly'

US Vice-President JD Vance has criticised a new installation by marginalised communities and creatives at Canterbury Cathedral.

The artwork features red graffiti-style writing on ancient stone walls, posing questions to God such as: "Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful?"

Mr Vance wrote on X that the exhibit had made a "beautiful historical building really ugly".

Others have praised the temporary installation, with Dean of Canterbury David Monteith saying it "intentionally builds bridges between cultures, styles and genres".

Mr Monteith added it "allows us to receive the gifts of younger people who have much to say and from whom we need to hear much".

"Above all, this graffiti makes me wonder why I am not always able to be as candid, not least in my prayers," he said.

One person behind the exhibit said graffiti is the 'language of the unheard'

Canterbury Cathedral said the exhibit, which officially opens on 17 October, has given visitors "visceral reactions".

"I think it's sacrilegious," said one cathedral-goer, while another questioned if the graffiti makes the historic site "look like an underground car park in Peckham".

Mr Vance said: "It is weird to me that these people don't see the irony of honoring 'marginalized communities' by making a beautiful historical building really ugly."

The cathedral said the project partnered with Punjabi, black and brown diaspora, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ groups.

Through a series of workshops, groups were asked to collaboratively respond to the question, "What would you ask God?"

The installation, created by poet Alex Vellis and curator Jacquiline Creswell, also features questions such as "Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful?" and "Does everything have a soul?"

Historic graffiti is inside the building, said Canterbury Cathedral

The cathedral said the exhibition speaks to the "historical graffiti" within its walls, including masons' marks, crosses and Christograms and marks made throughout the centuries by pilgrims.

"This project, at its core, is about community, using your voice, and change," said Mr Vellis.

"Graffiti is the language of the unheard".