Enough? Installation
THE DEAN'S CHAPEL, WORCESTER CATHEDRAL
Enough? is an installation inspired by the tragic loss of life in Gaza, although it is equally applicable to Ukraine, Iran and indeed any other war where innocent civilians are killed and injured. In this sense it is universal. The question Enough? asks how many people must be killed before a route to peace is sought.
It is very difficult indeed for anyone to imagine loss of life on such a huge scale, particularly since the advent of constant mass media which almost inures us to the reality of war. The installation endeavours to address this difficulty and to help the viewer to a realisation of what killing on this scale actually looks like.
The viewer is invited to imagine that each of the 260 figures represents 250 people thus adding up to 65,000, the estimated figure given for the number of people killed in the conflict in Gaza to date. The estimated number of civilian casualties (including injuries) in Ukraine is 56,000 but taking into account military deaths on both sides the number approaches 2 million. Enough?
Enough? was first exhibited in St. Michael and All Angels Church, Oxford, in April 2026.
Isabel Knowland
"As a lifelong pacifist I have been concerned to address the problems of conflict that have shaped mankind since the beginning of time. The current situation particularly in the Middle East and in Ukraine requires, I believe, an urgent response and a move away from military solutions to dialogue and conflict resolution. I believe that art can play an important role in addressing these issues, both in drawing attention to the suffering that war causes but also appealing to man’s inner humanity to seek a path to peace.
"All my life I have worked as a professional violinist, but always with a passion for art. In later years I realised that this passion had to be developed and given a chance to flourish so I took a degree in Fine Art, graduating with a First Class Honours from de Montfort University.
"As well as exhibiting locally and nationally I have been able to combine music and art in community projects, which are very important to me.
"I take my inspiration often from music and from poetry, and also from my long held pacifist beliefs. There are recurring themes – war and peace, fragility, memory, the importance of recognizing the gift of humanity and of our planet. I find that many of the concerns in making visual art are similar to those of playing music, namely, rhythm, texture, colour and form."
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