Cross-Currents is an installation of hundreds of beautiful, delicate hand-crafted boats embarked on their own journey through the vast architecture of Canterbury Cathedral, each fragile boat symbolizing the transient passage of the life of an individual.

These painstakingly-crafted magical creations remind us of the fragility of life itself. Life can be seen as a journey across an ocean, sometimes still, calm and steady and at times storm tossed, unpredictable and hazardous. The ephemeral nature of the boats displayed, created from materials collected from the forest floor and along our coastline, reminds us of the impermanence of our earthly existence. Like boats adrift on the sea, we navigate the unpredictable currents of life, seeking stability and purpose amidst the waves. The exhibition prompts us to reflect on our own journey through life and the choices we make along the way, inviting us to consider the human cost of displacement and the importance of offering assistance or sanctuary to those we meet on their journey. As we all take a path toward deeper connection with the divine, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of all beings. 

The concept of journey and pilgrimage is deeply rooted in the history of Canterbury Cathedral. Founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is England’s first cathedral and Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. For centuries, pilgrims have travelled to this sacred site seeking spiritual renewal and enlightenment. The installation in a sacred setting prompts contemplation on the shared experiences of seeking refuge, embarking on spiritual quests, and navigating the unpredictable waters of life. In many religious traditions, pilgrimage is a holy journey undertaken as an act of devotion or penance. By understanding their journey as a pilgrimage or exodus, we can appreciate the spiritual significance of migration and the courage it takes to leave behind everything familiar in search of a better future. Through this poignant work of art we can empathize with all those who have been displaced, recognize their inherent dignity, and appreciate the resilience and courage they exhibit as they navigate the challenges of resettlement. 

Participating in the creative process is very much a part of this exhibition; visitors and the community will have an opportunity to participate in the Cross-Currents voyage through the practice of creating a boat themselves to accompany the fleet. The collection of vessels will be arranged to ascend and descend the grand stone staircases, passed by so many pilgrims over hundreds of years. By engaging with the symbolic message of the exhibition, visitors are invited to reflect on the urgent need for compassion, empathy and solidarity with those experiencing displacement or hardship. These graceful ephemeral artworks capture the essence of journey as a transformative experience that transcends physical boundaries and connects us to something so much greater than ourselves.

Copyright; Jacquiline Creswell and Frances Carlile

Artist Frances Carlile works directly with the landscape. She shares her thoughts on the exhibition:

“The fleeting nature of life is mirrored in the transient natural materials used in making these vessels. The subdued hues of ephemeral seaweed, delicate leaves and translucent birch bark are juxtaposed with rugged elements of driftwood and prickly thorns. The materials themselves inspire an imaginary world where miniature shell boats can voyage through the enormous sea of the Cathedral equipped with tiny oars. Cross-Currents commemorates the beauty of the natural world where frequently-overlooked fragments, trodden upon and crushed underfoot, are unveiled in their ephemeral splendour.  

The making of each vessel is itself a contemplative journey. The landscape comes into greater focus as you search for leaves, thorns, seedpods, pinecones, seaweed, driftwood, bones, shells and fragments of all kinds. Finding the unexpected. Observing the colours. Walking through woods, along lanes, over moorland. Forever walking the seashore, the strandline, living with the turning tide. Hearing the cry of the oyster catchers as the light falls and the colours fade.   

All the found materials must be processed before they can be used. The drying, pressing, moulding, shaping and preserving adds a constant background rhythm to the passing days. Slowly the materials come together. Sweet chestnut, silver maple, cherry leaves are formed into fragile boats.  Masts of heather, dogwood, holly and briar rose are added. Seaweed, leaves and translucent birch bark are transformed into sails, attached with thorns. Driftwood is balanced and fixed to form the basis of larger vessels. And now the magic starts to happen. A shoal of black catshark egg cases drift past a thorny dogrose mast, found in a hedgerow.  The seascape and the landscape have become entwined. A piece of driftwood becomes a bird boat with a golden twig in its beak, its body a roundel of seaweed. As they come together the vessels start to acquire characters, just like people. Some are sombre and inward, others are joyous and active. They travel at different speeds, each one intent on its own purpose, but also united by a common journey. They chart their own passage between life and death”.