Work on the Reredos Wall




The wall before work started
The wall was originally covered by a large curtain which was burned by vandals. After cleaning, the wall was painted until a decision could be made on what to do in place of the curtain. In this image the high altar has been brought forward and the main cross placed on it instead of the stand mounted on the wall.

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The first day of work on the wall
After a test section in the bottom corner of the wall the preparation for the rest of the tiles has begun.

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After four days
The artist, Louise Attley, has been removing the paint to allow the mosaic tiles to be attached directly to the brick. Cleaning of the bricks has been done only to a height which can be reached on a small ladder and tiles added to head height. The next stage includes erection of some scaffolding to allow Louise to work safely well above floor level.

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Work Day 7: 17th September
The first star has been added to the wall, and Louise continues to clear the rest of the wall before fixing tiles. A plastic sheet covers the lower tiles to protect them from dust and adhesive.

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21st September (after 11 work days)
Louise removed the first star because she wasn't satisfied with it and has prepared the wall for a second attempt. She has been able to get more of the wall tiled leaving space for the star.

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23rd September (after 12 work days)
The scaffolding is up and Louise continues to work on removing the paint from the wall ready for tiling. The haze is due to brick and paint dust which has yet to settle.

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25th September (work day 14)
Louise is making good progress towards the top of the wall.

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28th September
The wall scraping is almost finished - we'll all be glad to get the cathedral clear of the dust - and Louise continues the upward effort. Will she be finished before the Synod Evensong on Friday?

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30th September
The paint has been removed from all of the wall and the tiling continues. Some of the stars of the Southern Cross are becoming obvious.

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3rd October
The tiling nears completion but there's still a fair bit to do.

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7th October
Apart from some very small areas the tiling was finished before Synod Evensong on the Friday evening. This image shows Louise pushing ahead with the grouting, having finished all the tiling.

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8th October
The wall is finished, the scaffolding down, and the cross has been returned to its stand. We're into the final stretch with the cleaning underway before the high altar is returned to its position.

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12th October 2008
The wall is finished, the cleaning done, but the altar is waiting to be returned to its plinth.

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12th October
Louise standing in front of the wall which she has been adorning with her artwork.

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12th October
Louise with just part of the wall, and the main crucifix.

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24th November
The job is complete. Everything has been restored, and the cathedral has returned to "normal" operations..

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If you would like to contribute to this major artwork please ring the cathedral on 0897 21 3970 [+61 897 21 3970] or send us an email.