The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, joined 100 guests at a special ceremony at the magnificent banqueting hall of Chelsea College of Arts (formerly the Royal Army Medical Corps) as he led proceedings at the licensing of the Revd Mark Dean as Anglican Chaplain and Interfaith Advisor at University of the Arts London, the world-leading educational institution for art, design and communication.
The special ceremony was attended by friends, family, and members of the University; guests included Turner Prize winner Elizabeth Price, alongside many other notable artists. Speakers included UAL Vice Chancellor Nigel Carrington, Senior Anglican Chaplain the Revd Stephen Williams, Dean of Students Mark Crawley, and UAL Lead Chaplain William Whitcombe, who led the prayers. Clergy colleagues from the Diocese of London and the Diocese of Southwark also attended to show their support.
Marking both the significance of Mark’s licensing and the artistic dimension to the event, artist Cara Rainbow performed her work ‘Seal of Approval’ – in which Rainbow dresses as a seal – in the minstrel gallery of the banqueting hall.
Commenting after the event, Mark said:
“Having worked as an artist and taught in art schools over the past 20 years, I am absolutely delighted to be able to work in an arts school as a licensed priest.
“I have already been made very welcome at UAL and look forward to continuing a fruitful and exciting relationship with this most important of institutions.”
Prior to his ordination as an Anglican priest Mark worked as a lecturer in Fine Art at Goldsmiths College and the Ruskin, Oxford University, and continues to practice as an artist. He has regularly exhibited in major institutions including the Tate and ICA, and internationally, including Museum Ludwig, Cologne and De Pont Foundation, Tilburg.
