Elemental martyrdom in St. Paul's Cathedral

Remembering Bill Viola

Image courtesy Blain Southern. Copyright the estate of Bill Viola.

I was sad to hear of the death of American film and video artist Bill Viola on 12 July, aged 73. I’m privileged to see a lot of art including plenty of film and video works and Viola’s were some of the most powerful and memorable.

Thankfully we have two works of Bill Viola’s on permanent display at St. Paul’s Cathedral so we can see work by him anytime the church is open - the ticket price is expensive at £25 for an adult. Still, all services at the church are free and you can visit the Viola works after a service in the North and South quires.

Given the setting, both works deal with religion, and Martyrs (installed in 2014) is the more striking of the two as it shows four individuals being assaulted by the four elements of fire, wind, air, and earth. In all cases, the ‘martyrs’ remain stoic much as Renaissance paintings of Saints in history have also shown them remaining stoic as they are pierced with arrows or tortured in other ways.

The work is a 7-minute film that starts with all four individuals at ease before the process of martyrdom begins, building in ferocity. It’s a powerful work that stays with you after you’ve watched it.

Below the paywall

• A more serene Viola work at St. Paul’s

• Viola’s Royal Academy exhibition

• Bill Viola’s legacy