Sanctuary of Serenity

Installation
Austin Friars Church, City of London, 2018

Sanctuary of Serenity is a site-specific installation that creates a contemplative space while, at the same time, experimenting with potential alternative uses of redundant churches in the City of London. The project responds, in a contemporary interpretation, to the need to revitalise vacant churches in London’s financial and commercial district, with the aim of instilling a renewed appreciation of the City’s churches.

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Participants make an appointment with themselves to partake in a ceremony in which they are invited to explore and discover the installation while making and drinking their own tea blend. This process encourages participants to take a moment for introspection and reflection, and experience its therapeutic and unwinding effect on their minds. After this process the participants are encouraged to write and send a postcard to themselves, together with their own tea blend, to relive the experience in the Sanctuary of Serenity in the future.

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Collaborators:

Ming Peng: Graphic Design and Book Design, Jasper Starkenburg: Movie Sounds Design and Building Assistance, Sobin Lim: Marketing and Promotion, Tanja Goossens: Public Relations, Ronnie Chou: Photography

Special thanks to: Kanuka Tea, Kinto, MS Lighting Design, Premier Textiles, Ferm Living, Austin Friars Church

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Insight in the experience
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Contemporary tea ceremony: 1. Composing your personal tea blend 2. Emerging in the installation 3. Writing a letter to yourself
© Studio Gwen van den Bout 2025