Standing within the Abbey’s St Alphege Chapel, Collateral Damage confronts visitors with the brutal realities of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Created by artist Robert Marshall, this striking installation features a bomb-damaged door salvaged from a destroyed home in Ukraine – a simple yet devastating symbol of lives and communities torn apart.
Robert Marshall, from Wareham in Dorset, salvaged the door from Toretsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that once was home to 30,000 people. It is marked with scorch damage from the blast and has a hole blown through it.
Artist Robert Marshall explains the installation:
“When Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2022 I saw in the news footage a door from a bombed out house being used as a makeshift stretcher and the image stuck with me. At the time I was working with doors as a medium as part of my ‘Portals’ series and I knew I had to obtain a door from the frontline.
A door that could tell its story and the story of millions of others. Of the heartbreak war brings to a country; of the ‘collateral damage’ that is now happening in so many wars, (a term often used by the oppressors to dilute the atrocities and the war crime of deliberately bombing civilian populations).
The door symbolises the loss of a home, the displacement and separation of families, the loss of friends and families, the toll war has on the children.
The aim of this door is to become not just a monument, a memorial, to all those who have had their lives turned upside down, but to be a platform for the refugees from these war zones to tell their story. For them, not to be silenced but to be heard.”
The sculpture is being exhibited alongside stories of Ukrainian families and refugees, to highlight their experiences of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The quotes below are from members of the English language class held at Bath Abbey by Bath Welcomes Refugees.
Reflections by members of the English language class at the Abbey:
“This door was once a ‘security guard’ in people’s home in Ukraine. It’s one of millions of doors that was blown out from people’s homes during the Russian invasion. Many of us Ukrainians have seen either their own homes or neighbours homes being destroyed in the past several years. Behind each door there was a family, there was a home to a previously happy life. Russians came and took it all away.”
Nikolay Katrechko
“This door is very symbolic, it evokes traces of the lost happiness to have a home, loved ones, relatives and friends when nothing mattered. It’s not worth the lives of those young people – beautiful, talented, smart, which this war took. I also associate this door with the door that was opened for us Ukrainian people in England, Germany, Norway and other countries. Everyone who sees this door remembers us and the main thing is not to forget that we are people!”
Neyali Halan
Revd Betsy Blatchley, Bath Abbey Missioner, said:
“At Bath Abbey we are honoured to host ‘Collateral Damage’ by Robert Marshall. This powerful installation brings us face to face with the reality of war across our world today, and the tragedy of loss for so many innocent people. But it also speaks of survival and incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering.
In Ukraine, doors are seen not just as a physical, but also a spiritual protection. We hope that this installation can provide a focus for reflection but also encourage us to pray persistently for protection, hope and healing for all victims of war. As the door stands alongside Peace Doves, created by Peter Walker Sculptor, we pray that it will also encourage each of us to consider how we can be bringers of peace in our families, communities and nations and to commit to pray and act for peace in our wider world.”
A Prayer
Lord God
We remember and pray for all those who have lost everything through war and oppression—people like us—children, young people, adults who just want to live safely and joyfully within the comfort and security of their home.
We pray for world leaders that you will fill their hearts with your compassion and wisdom that they will strive for peace and justice.
Open the doors of our hearts that we might act with generosity and welcome to all who have had to flee their own homes and seek a place of safety and sanctuary.
Give us courage and commitment to be people of peace and justice in our troubled world.
Amen
Bath Welcomes Refugees is a local charity which helps refugees and asylum seekers feel welcome, access resources and find a new home and community.
Since 2015 over 200 volunteers have supported over 800 people from diverse countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. The group has no religious or political affiliations. Its reach is wide but resources are limited, relying on donations, goodwill, and the funds raised locally.
Fine out more about their work: bathwelcomesrefugees.org.uk
