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Canterbury Cathedral Defends Graffiti‑Style Art Ahead of Opening as Criticism Mounts

Cathedral leaders say the temporary, removable inscriptions were co-created with marginalized locals to invite those who feel the building is not for them.

Overview

  • The exhibition, titled Hear Us, opens Oct. 17 and is scheduled to run through Jan. 18, 2026 inside select areas of the cathedral.
  • Curator Jacquiline Creswell and poet Alex Vellis worked with community groups to phrase raw questions to God such as “Are you there?” and “Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful?”.
  • The cathedral says the lettering uses removable materials designed to leave no lasting mark and emphasizes that the project is temporary.
  • U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Senator Ted Cruz and Elon Musk have condemned the display, while religious commentators have labeled it desecration or evidence of the Church’s decline.
  • Dean David Monteith urges people to see the work in person, framing it as intentionally disruptive bridge‑building and noting Canterbury’s long record of historic graffiti that will also be highlighted in tours.