Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Church Window Mask

For Pride this year, St James’s will exhibit new work by the artist Ariel Collier (she/they/we/our) in the Side Chapel. Collier is a London based conceptual artist, writer, researcher and curator originally from South Florida.

  • Ajamu X, Ariel Collier

  • Titled Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (The Essence of Joy), it references Psalm 139. Collier writes: ‘Western portrayals of trans women often rely on narrow images. This piece re-orientates, towards the domestic and intimate—just as God sees the heart. My friend, radiant inside and out, reintroduced me to the House of God and continues to nourish my spirit from near and far.’

    Collier’s work challenges alienation, estrangement and polarisation using multiple mediums and collective organizing to shift global understandings of black queer culture towards our inner worlds, reflections and interconnections.

    Collier is also the founder of Home Studio, a nomadic space dedicated to the promotion, empowerment and development of queer and trans global majority artists by hosting workshops, CRITS, making sessions and exhibitions.