Tracey Emin to create neon work of art for cathedral

Jan 2 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

SHE is more commonly associated with unmade beds, and has been accused by some critics of cynically exploiting the public’s darkest levels of voyeurism.

But now the controversial and internationally famous “Britartist” Tracey Emin is to take another giant stride towards artistic respectability by bringing a newly-commissioned work to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral later this year.

The neon installa-tion is due to go on display in September as part of the cathedral’s programme of events for Capital of Culture year.

However, the cathedral said it had no fears that some people may be offended by Emin’s reputation for often sexually-charged and provocative work.

The latest installation, which has yet to be named, follows on from her first public artwork, the “bird on a pole” bronze sculpture commissioned by the BBC. This went on display outside the Oratory, next to the cathedral, in February 2005.

The new work is expected to include a text in neon as a tribute to the city and reflects her growing interest in religion.

It sprang from the friendship she built up with Toby Forward, who has recently retired from his position as canon precentor of the cathedral.

He showed her round the building, and also took Emin for lunch at the House of Lords with the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, to discuss the planned work.

Eryl Parry, the cathedral’s director of hospitality, said: “Canon Toby Forward has a great interest in the arts and has been very much in touch with Tracey Emin over this installa-tion. They developed a good working relationship and, even though he has retired through ill-health, he is closely involved in bringing Tracey Emin here.

“This is not going to be one of her controversial pieces, though we hope it will provoke emotion.

“Her work, like that of any other artist, is not to everybody’s taste. She has been a controver-sial figure and you can’t escape the associations she has, but we’re sure it will cause a lot of excitement and will act as another draw to the cathedral.”

Emin will decide on the final form of the artwork when she visits the cathedral in February, and will produce it specifically for the place over the Well which she has chosen. The cathedral’s visual arts programme for 2008 kicks off with the installation of Cornish artist Nicholas Williams’s large-scale canvas, Desideratum, which will be on display throughout January.

Other highlights will be an Anne Frank and You exhibition, which includes a replica of her Amsterdam bedroom where she wrote her famous diaries.

This will be visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, when he is in Liverpool for Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27.

Sir Paul McCartney will attend the cathedral for the Liverpool premiere of his award-winning classical work, Ecce Core Meum, by the Royal Liverpool Philhar-monic Orchestra, on May 1.

alanweston