The curator of a new graffiti-style art exhibition at Canterbury Cathedral has said she was 'delighted' that US Vice President JD Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk had commented on the display, despite their criticism. The 'Hear Us' exhibition, which opens to the public on Friday, features brightly coloured questions painted on the ancient walls, such as 'Where does love come from?' and 'Where is humanity heading?'.
Vance wrote on social media platform X that it was 'weird' to see a 'beautiful historical building' made 'really ugly' in the name of honouring marginalised communities. Musk also criticised the installation. However, curator Jacquiline Creswell told the PA news agency that she was 'delighted' two 'really important figures in the world' had taken time to comment, and that the 'noise' around the exhibition had since dissipated.
The exhibition, which runs until 18 January, was created by asking people from marginalised groups—including ethnic minorities, neurodivergent individuals, and LGBTQIA+ people—what they would ask God. The questions have been 'expertly and sensitively fixed' to the cathedral's stone pillars, walls, and floors, according to the cathedral website.
Artist Alex Vellis said the project was about community and giving a voice to the unheard. The Dean of Canterbury, David Monteith, acknowledged that 'public opinion has been split' but encouraged people to visit and make up their own minds, rather than reacting to online comments.
