Tessa Campbell Fraser’s Whales installation at Winchester Cathedral, which opened on 22nd January 2025, has become an extraordinary success, attracting widespread attention from both the media and visitors. The immersive exhibition, featuring three monumental sperm whale sculptures suspended from the cathedral’s nave, has been praised for its striking beauty and powerful environmental message. Ranging from 3 to 5.2 metres in length, the whales have transformed the historic space, inviting audiences to reflect on humanity’s impact on the natural world, particularly in relation to the legacy of industrial whaling. Since its launch last week, the exhibition has proven to be a significant draw, with the cathedral seeing a surge in visitors.
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Whales at Winchester Cathedral is a stunning success captivating the media and visitors from across the country
The installation has received extensive media coverage, starting with a feature on ITV Meridian News, which aired across multiple regional platforms, including ITV News London, ITV 1 Meridian News Thames Valley, and ITV News Meridian East and West. BBC Online News for Hampshire & the Isle of Wight also ran a feature on Whales, further boosting its visibility. The exhibition also caught the attention of BBC 6 Music, with Cerys Matthews opening her Sunday show with whale sounds, blending them with Egyptian folk music—a perfect complement to the installation’s eclectic nature.
Students from the University of Winchester, including those studying journalism, film, and photography, have visited Whales as part of their coursework, capturing content inspired by the exhibition.
The exhibition is complemented by a diverse events programme, offering everything from evening openings and expert talks to interactive family trails and a silent disco under the whales. There are also special performances by three very different musical groups, as well as a mesmerising sound bath featuring whale songs. The buzz around Whales has been felt across social media, with visitors sharing their experiences and tagging themselves in photos from the exhibition, contributing to a noticeable increase in ticket sales for the events programme.
With its vast media coverage and positive public reception, Whales has become one of Winchester Cathedral’s most talked-about exhibitions in recent years. Tessa Campbell Fraser’s art not only offers a breathtaking visual experience but also serves as a powerful call to reflect on our relationship with the planet and its creatures. As the exhibition continues to draw crowds and inspire conversations, Whales has firmly established itself as a must-see experience, and the cathedral is thrilled with the ongoing success and impact it has generated.
All photographs on this page were taken by Simon Newman.
