For the first time in almost a decade, Richmond Chapel in Penzance opens its doors to the community to present a mesmerising sound installation by the internationally acclaimed artist Janet Cardiff.

The exhibition is part of Groundwork, a project bringing internationally celebrated art and artists to Cornwall this summer.

Groundwork has been developed by the Helston-based arts organisation CAST (Cornubian Arts & Science Trust). The Janet Cardiff installation is presented in partnership with Newlyn Art Gallery & the Exchange.

The exhibition will be launched with a Garden Party, on Sunday, May 27 from 2pm, in the grounds of the chapel. All are welcome.

John Harris, the new owner of the chapel, is keen to preserve the building for community use rather than commercial development and sees this collaboration as the first of many future public projects.

James Green, Director of Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange explains, “This incredible act of private philanthropy has enabled us to present an internationally celebrated work of art to new audiences in the south west.

"Without John’s generosity and ambition this would have been impossible. We are excited to see how many people visit the project over the summer and anticipate an enthusiastic response.”

Janet Cardiff’s acclaimed sound installation Forty Part Motet, is a reworking of English renaissance composer Thomas Tallis’s choral work, Spem in Alium Numquan Habui.

An arrangement of 40 speakers enables listeners to move around amongst a choir of 40 individual voices.

The performance happens as though live in the space – the sound moves from one speaker to another, reverberating within the architecture as the singers’ voices meet each other in harmony.

Janet Cardiff is celebrated for a body of work that comprises audio walks, film, photography and sound installations.

Born in Canada, she now lives in British Colombia and Berlin. The exhibition continues until August Bank Holiday Monday 27 and is free.