Sanctuary Doorway

This collection of four sculptures were created as part of an artist residency at St Saviours Church, a Grade I listed former Anglican church on behalf of the Florence Trust in Highbury, London in August 2023.

Stevens spent three days observing and documenting her experience of the building, the garden and its wildlife. She was drawn to the decorative arts and crafts painted interior of the church and the symbols decorating the exterior of the building including the clover, cross and the circle; a symbol of love that never ends, eternal life, and commitment. These representations can be seen on the outside of each sculpture, which were digitally designed and laser cut into cherry oak wood and acrylic to mimic the colouring of the stained-glass windows.

The inside of each sculpture is an interpretation of her encounter with wildlife in the garden, including the wood pigeon, magpie, squirrel and fox. These four animals were seen and heard the most whilst she was in residence and although they are considered vermin, Stevens was drawn to their unique characteristics. Each sculpture tells a narrative about each animal. The wood pigeon and its love of eating flower buds; the magpie and its harsh, sharp call; the squirrel and its love of eating conkers and using a zig-zag movement to outwit its predators and the fox with its habit of collecting tennis balls, pens and other ‘toys’ to play with in the garden.

The title for the collection of sculptures is reflective of the idea of sanctuary door knockers, offering those in need of asylum under medieval English common law.

The artworks were installed on the main doors of the church temporarily in 2024.