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A Wing And A Prayer

Public art inspired by the thriving yet vulnerable natural environment at Minsmere on the Suffolk coast.

October 2020 saw the fabrication and installation of a large, colourful contemporary glass “window” into the ancient ruined chapel which stands in the grasslands of RSPB Minsmere. The artwork was created by Arabella Marshall in her studio in Suffolk. The installation launches an ongoing project using art of all kinds to inspire us to deepen our affinity with the natural environment, recognising that it is our essence and calling on us to be the best guardians we can possibly be.

Scroll down to view the film of “A Wing And A Prayer” glass art installation by Arabella Marshall

The Location

Minsmere is a fabulous wildlife location on the Suffolk coast comprising woods, heathland, wetlands, grassland, and shingle beach - all within view of the potentially expanding nuclear power station at Sizewell! It has an intriguing but little known history from the fleeing monks in C14th to the manoeuvres of WW2 which, ironically, led to the arrival of hundreds of species of birds and wildlife. Whether it continues to thrive is in the hands of the humans who have always shaped its story.

The Artwork

The artwork “A Wing And A Prayer” appears to take the form of a glass “window” - luminous colour soaring into the sky from a building which has no roof and whose walls have eroded into irregular shapes. Glowing like a jewel in the greens and ochres of the landscape it is a joyful celebration of life but is also a poignant reminder of the impermanence of the form that life takes.