Who's Your Rock?

The installation is a community engagement project inviting people to reflect, celebrate and remember these key figures in their lives. They are invited to respond with their own piece of art. These individual pieces will come together in a grand suspended display within St Peter’s, echoing the unity and resilience of our city and congregation.

Inspired by Brighton’s iconic Brighton Rock, we invited and encourage the local community to come into the space and reflect on their own symbolic “rock” and who represents their sources of strength.

The art installation will also celebrate the church’s rich heritage and the stunning Chancel ceiling, a masterpiece that was redecorated in 1966 and remains in excellent condition today. Visitors entering the church naturally look up in awe at the ceiling, and this installation aims to highlight its beauty while drawing deeper meaning from the name “Peter,” which means “rock” or “stone.”

St Peter, a key figure in Jesus’ life, is often symbolically linked to rocks, as seen in Matthew 16:13-20: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” This symbolism of strength and foundation ties into the installation’s central theme—offering hope and gratitude in challenging times. The past few years have tested many, from the pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis and global conflicts. In difficult moments, we rely on the “rocks” in our lives—those who support and ground us. For Christians, this may be Jesus or God; for others, it is family, friends, or mentors who have provided stability.