New exhibit to explore lost treasures of cathedral

A new exhibition titled 'A Right Royal Heist' is set to open at Lincoln Cathedral on May 3, coinciding with Lincoln's Festival of History. This exhibition is inspired by the treasures that were taken from the cathedral during the English Reformation in 1536. At that time, King Henry VIII declared himself the head of the Church of England, which led to the removal of many valuable items, including jewels and ceremonial clothing, from the cathedral. Local artists are working hard to recreate these lost treasures through various forms of art, such as digital illustrations, ceramics, paintings, and textiles. The artwork will showcase items that were lost from Lincoln Cathedral, including a drinking glass and a cross. The goal of the exhibition is to help people remember and appreciate these important pieces of history. One of the highlights of the exhibition is a historical document that lists all the jewels, vestments, and other ornaments that were taken from the cathedral. This document was created by Henry Lytherland, the cathedral treasurer, and has survived for over 400 years. The exhibition will feature works from talented artists like Mel Langton, Fiona Hodges, Lisa Tank, and Hannah Cawthorne, all of whom are associated with the Indigo Crow Gallery. Their artwork will be displayed in the Exhibition Gallery until the end of July. Artists Langton and Hodges expressed their inspiration from King Henry VIII in their pieces. They depict him as a giant figure taking away the treasures and created a ceramic sculpture showing him seated on a throne surrounded by the lost artifacts. Other artworks will illustrate the cathedral's vestments and even the inventory document itself. Fern Dawson, the curator at Lincoln Cathedral, shared her enthusiasm for the project, stating, 'When we first developed this project, I wanted to give the artists the freedom to express their own personalities and skills. Bringing a historic document to life in this way has been incredibly exciting, and the ideas it has inspired are fantastic. We can’t wait for the exhibition to open and for everyone to see these new works. ' Admission to the exhibition is included in the cathedral entrance fee, making it accessible for all visitors.