St Albans Cathedral graffiti exhibits artist's spiritual quest

Graffiti artist Ant Steel is the artist-in-residence at St Albans Cathedral

An exhibition showcasing graffiti artwork in a cathedral is opening to the public.

St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire brought in a street artist to be its 2023 artist-in-residence.

Ant Steel, who lives in the city, has spent eight months producing works in collaboration with local people.

He said the exhibition - entitled Graffiti and Grace: An Artistic Journey Through My Life's Phases - represented a "spiritual quest".

Mr Steel said he wanted to "leave a legacy that is emotive, engaging and relevant"

When asked about the link between graffiti and an ancient building, Mr Steel was quick to point out that he was "not actually painting on any of the walls".

"This is funny in a way, because there are between 2,000 and 3,000 pieces of [medieval] graffiti in the cathedral," he said.

Instead he was invited to bring his work, already painted, into the cathedral.

He oversaw workshops with groups including children, asylum seekers, refugees and adult learners.

Children were among those collaborating with Mr Steel on Graffiti and Grace

The exhibition is on until 30 November in the North Transept of the cathedral

Mr Steel described the collection as "vibrant and eclectic" and said Graffiti and Grace "is more than an art exhibition".

"It's a narrative told through spray cans and brushes, a testament to the belief that even in the chaotic cityscape of life, there is a unique beauty, a message, and indeed, grace to be found," he said.

One of Mr Steel's images is of the peregrine falcon chick Artemis, that hatched at St Albans Cathedral

Canon Kevin Walton said St Albans Cathedral was "very blessed by Ant's time with us".

"Art and beauty have long enhanced this sacred space, both in formal ways but also in those informal marks of graffiti left by generations of pilgrims," he said.

The exhibition is on until 30 November in the North Transept of the Cathedral.