ASHES TO FIRE is a compelling new exhibition by British artist Alice Carter. The series, comprising seven large-scale oil paintings journeying from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost, will be on display in Chichester Cathedral’s South Transept from 13 February — 5 April 2026.

The exhibition forms part of the Cathedral’s wider programme of events, responding to the 60th anniversary of the High Altar Tapestry, designed by English painter and printmaker John Piper (1903—1992).

Carter’s new body of work offers a painterly meditation on key moments in the Easter Cycle. Her carefully considered compositions trace the emotional arc of the Easter story — from the solemnity of Ash Wednesday to the blazing energy of Pentecost. Through bold colour, layered symbolism, and moments of quiet intensity, Carter reflects on themes of grief, hope, and transformation, capturing the journey from ashes to fire in a contemporary visual language.

Carter has always believed in the power of painting to hold quiet space — her art invites viewers, of all faiths and none, for a moment of reflection and contemplation in a space steeped in history and worship.

Alice said: “I hope my paintings give people a chance to pause and feel connected to something bigger than themselves.”

The Dean of Chichester, The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, said: “John Piper’s bold use of colour and spiritual symbolism in the High Altar Tapestry continues to speak powerfully across generations, showing how visual art can communicate faith. Alice’s work builds on this legacy with striking originality - her vivid, contemplative paintings echo Piper’s visual language while offering a fresh and timely reflection on the Easter story. We are delighted to welcome a living artist whose work opens up these themes to all those visiting the Cathedral.”

In conjunction with ASHES TO FIRE, Chichester Cathedral will run a programme of events, including special tours led by the artist.

This exhibition has been made possible through the support of Farmington Institute.

Alice Carter is available for interviews and to write features

Enquiries from press and media representatives are very welcome. For further information, please contact Oliver Tubb, Head of Marketing & Communications:
E: oliver.tubb@chichestercathedral.org.uk | T: 07943 250223
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Alice Carter is a British painter, author and passionate walker whose work explores place, journey and quiet space through a contemporary visual language. Her paintings invite moments of stillness and reflection, shaped by time spent alone in nature and a deep interest in how ancient stories and paths continue to resonate with contemporary life.

Since 2012, she has worked full-time as an artist, developing a distinctive style that invites stillness, presence, and contemplation. Alice trained at the Royal Drawing School in London, where she completed The Drawing Year (2013–14), and has exhibited widely, including a solo show in London in 2022: EDGE — Chalk Cliffs & Urban Architecture: A journey along the South Coast.

Her creative path has included artist residencies in Scotland and Tuscany, and she is a published author in both crime fiction and non-fiction — most notably An Accidental Jubilee, a memoir recounting her solo pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome after a near-fatal accident and emergency brain surgery.

This new exhibition at Chichester Cathedral is Alice’s first major body of work focused on Christian themes. It brings together her studio practice and personal faith, resulting in a thoughtful, emotionally resonant response to the Easter Cycle — one that invites all viewers, regardless of faith or background, into a moment of reflection, beauty, and quiet connection. Alice lives and works in East Sussex.

For updates on the exhibition process, including studio insights and visual previews, follow the artist:
📷 @alicecarterartist | 🌐 alicecarterartist.com

Chichester Cathedral is both a living church and the Mother Church of the Diocese, stretching nearly a hundred miles along England's south coast between East and West Sussex. The Cathedral is renowned for its ancient and modern art, featuring works by Lambert Barnard, Graham Sutherland, Marc Chagall, Ursula Benker-Schirmer, John Piper and Philip Jackson. It also boasts a celebrated musical heritage, from the Cathedral Choir to connections with esteemed composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Holst.

Celebrating 950 years of Chichester Cathedral and the Diocese of Chichester, Chichester950 marks the relocation of the Cathedral from Selsey to the more populous town of Chichester (formerly Roman Noviomagus) in 1075. Chichester950 offers a vibrant and inclusive events programme, inviting visitors to explore the Cathedral's rich nine centuries of history.