A MAJOR art installation which opened at York Minster last November - and was then forced to shut after only three days because of a national lockdown- returns refreshed to the cathedral this weekend.

‘People We Love’ features five high definition screens in the nave that each show video portraits of a York local, looking at a picture of someone they love - reflecting, remembering and being reminded of them.

Organisers say that after people have had to stay at a distance from family and friends for so long, the emotive installation will be a poignant reminder of how precious love, and those loved, are.

The work from creative collective KMA was originally commissioned as part of the 2020 York Mediale festival.Its creator, Kit Monkman, of KMA, said it was inspired by ‘The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman’ by Laurence Sterne.

“First published in York in 1759, the book contains a blank page for the reader to imagine, draw or write about a person they love,” he said.

“In Tristram Shandy the reader becomes an active participant in the book. We wanted to take that idea and incorporate it into ‘People We Love’, making the audience member an active participant in the creative process as they engage with the film.

Willow Bowen was one of about 80 York people to take part, along with her grandfather Bill Johnson. They were filmed in a booth set up at Spark:York.

She said she had remembered someone very close who had passed away, and found it a very ‘cathartic’ experience.

Neil Sanderson, York Minster Fund director, said he was delighted by its return, saying it would form part of a wider season of remembering at the cathedral giving visitors time to pause, reflect and think about their own loved ones.

*The installation runs from Saturday until November 12.