A Wing and a Prayer

“A Wing And A Prayer” is the name of a large contemporary glass artwork that has recently been installed into the ancient ruined chapel at RSPB Minsmere. It was made by Arabella Marshall in her studio in Brandeston and takes the form of a kind of window - luminous colour soaring into the sky from a building which has no roof and whose walls have eroded into irregular shapes of flint and brick. 

 

As you probably know Minsmere is a fabulous wildlife location on the Suffolk coast comprising woods, heathland, wetlands, grasslands and shingle beach - all within view of the potentially expanding nuclear power station at Sizewell! The chapel sits on a grassy mound which was the original site of Leiston Abbey. 

 

The placing of the artwork in this location is intended to be a catalyst for other artists from different discplines to come forward with ideas for future, related activites. A programme of events encouraging people to enjoy the landscape and to consider the impact the we as human beings have upon it is already underway although being redesigned in the light of the pandemeic. We are in duscussion with two Suffolk artists, a composer, a dancer, two local schools, Britten Pears Arts and Rural Coffee Caravan. We hope that the events will include: drawing in the wild, walks and talks with the artist, children’s creative workshops, wellbeing activites and the filming of a dance piece on location. We welcome new ideas! Please do get in touch. info@arabellamarshall.com 

 

A film about the project with stunning footage of the artwork in the glorious Minsmere surroundings can be viewed here or you can visit the project web site www.awingandaprayer.org.uk 

 

The project was made possible with contributions from: Arts Council England, Suffok Coast and Heaths Sustainable Development Fund and Amenity and Accessibility Fund, Galloper Wind Farm, Hawke Optics, Nichol Young Foundation, Scarfe Trust and over 50 individuals. Permissions were granted by Historic England and Natural England.