Constellations

An international exhibition of cutting-edge contemporary mosaics will open at Chester Cathedral on 21 March 2022. 

Constellations will feature new work by high-profile mosaic artists from the UK, Ireland, Europe and the United States and will open on Monday 21 March through until Sunday 24 April in the Cathedral’s Chapter House. Responding to the theme of Constellations, the thirty exhibition pieces will feature a wide variety of forms, styles, materials, and techniques for visitors to see and explore. Two thirds of the mosaics on show are wall-mounted and a further ten exhibits are freestanding works of sculpture with mosaic embellishment. 

The exhibition has been organised and curated by the British Association for Modern Mosaic (BAMM). The association was founded in 1999, to promote, encourage and support excellence in contemporary mosaic art and to raise public awareness of modern mosaic art through exhibitions, publications, events, and related educational activities. 

In the Vestibule of the Chapter House, visitors will be greeted by a collaborative installation, “Ethereal”. Composed of more than 400 individual mosaics made in used beer bottle tops by over 50 contributing artists, this delightful, twinkling artwork creates an enchanting skyscape of Constellations suspended from the vaulted ceiling. 

Chester Cathedral is home to some incredible permanent Victorian mosaics made between 1876 and 1886. All the mosaic features were designed by John Clayton of Clayton & Bell and made by Salviati and Burke & Co. BAMM Members will facilitate workshop sessions to provide an opportunity for members of the public to try their own hand at mosaic making. This experience will enable visitors to appreciate the cathedral's exquisite mosaic collection more fully. 

Production of the exhibition has been generously supported by sponsors: Chester Cathedral, The Mosaic Restoration Company, Place for the Arts in Chester (PACh) and Palace Chemicals.