Spotlight on Artist Dominique Hurley & "Into the Sea of Infinity" at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Public art can take many forms, evoke many feelings and be found in many places, including shopping centres, along streets, at local businesses, parks or other outdoor spaces (like the pieces found here as part of the Quidi Vidi Art Search).

Public art can also be found at places of worship, adding to the feelings of peace, calm, community and beauty that imbues the space. Visitors to the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, at 16 Church Hill in downtown St. John's, will have a chance to soak in more of those sentiments thanks to a recent addition by local visual artist Dominique Hurley.

Shortly after Dean Roger Whalen arrived at the Cathedral, he and lay minister Sue Cummings formed a committee to explore the idea of installing a labyrinth inside the space (which people walk along to reflect, meditate and help enhance feelings of connection and creativity).

"While some people will connect well with our traditional style of worship, others may seek out alternative experiences related to music, meditation, and art. Therefore, over the years, we have offered a variety of different experiences to speak to the needs of a variety of people. The labyrinth is certainly a type of spiritual exercise which grew out of this desire for alternative experiences," says Dean Whalen, who has been Rector of the Cathedral for almost eight years.

Last spring, master labyrinth builder and designer Lisa Gidlow Moriarty created a 7-circuit labyrinth, which was officially dedicated during a special service at the end of September. The theme of the labyrinth (part of the Legacy Labyrinth Network, which aims to create and connect labyrinths around the globe) is "Ocean Health" and symbolizes the journey toward ecological awareness and renewal. (Click here to learn more about the "Ocean Health" labyrinth at the Anglican Cathedral.)

Some years prior, Dean Whalen and Cummings connected with Hurley to chat about labyrinths (which often feature in Hurley's work). When Cummings contacted Hurley last spring to see how she might be involved in the upcoming dedication ceremony, Hurley dove in head first, got out her paintbrushes, and created the artwork "Into the Sea of Infinity." (Click here to get a deeper view into the creation of "Into the Sea of Infinity.")

Featuring a large whale (outlined in glass beads that reflect the light) swimming along circular waves in front of a labyrinth surrounded by a variety of other sea creatures, the painting seamlessly connects with the labyrinth's theme. An eight foot print of the painting now hangs proudly above the labyrinth inside the Cathedral (Hurley also licensed the image for prints as part of the Cathedral's fundraising efforts).

Hurley's work, says Dean Whalen, "is a gorgeous piece of art" that helps people connect with the labyrinth's theme.

"This print draws the eye towards the transept where the labyrinth is located — even before they see the labyrinth on the floor. People who are new to the Cathedral are drawn to the beauty of the print, and people who have been here for years appreciate the addition of something new. Our Cathedral has no shortage of beauty in architecture and colourful stained-glass windows. 'Into the sea of Infinity' simply adds a new dimension to the beauty of this space."

Hurley says she's thrilled to have her artwork help enhance the labyrinth experience for visitors. Seeing her print there for the first time, "displayed in such a sacred space left me deeply moved," she says.

"As someone whose spirituality draws from many traditions, it felt deeply meaningful for my work to be embraced in this religious setting. It’s a reminder that art, like prayer, transcends boundaries and speaks to the soul."

It's partnerships like these, Dean Whalen says, that helps enrich the community as a whole.

"Whether we work with other churches to provide assistance to those in need (such as the Emmaus House Food Bank, which is a partnership with the Roman Catholic Basilica and St. Thomas' Anglican Parish), or we work with social workers to provide support through wellness programs (which is a partnership with Eastern Health), partnerships are a way of bringing together resources and expertise to better serve the community. We see the labyrinth as a partnership with the community, and, as part of that, we greatly value the partnership with Dominique to be able to display her work here in our Cathedral space," he says. 

"In an ideal world, I would love to be able to commission more original artwork to be part of the spiritual experience and journey of the community here at our Cathedral. Art speaks to people in ways that words simply cannot, and it has always been an important aspect of the spiritual journey."

(Currently, Hurley is in the process of hosting a moving sale to find new homes for 56 of her paintings. Click here to learn more. )