The shock of silence

Guillermo Monroy's sculpture "The Sleeper" is currently in the Church of St James the Less, Vauxhall Bridge Road, London. It was powerful enough in his studio, but to see it in this impressive Victorian church adds another dimension. Guillermo's public talk last night discussed the literal and metaphorical power of the silent musical instruments that make up The Sleeper, in its theological context. Then members of the congregation spoke, often extremely movingly, about what the sculpture has meant to them.

When I saw this piece in Guillermo's studio a few weeks ago I thought it a masterpiece. Hearing others describe their emotional reactions confirms my judgment (not that I ever doubted it).