CELL is a life size, 3 metre by 2 metre, reconstruction of the prison in which Alexei Navalny was sentenced in January 2021 to solitary confinement and hard labour for 28 years for opposing corruption in the government of Vladimir Putin.
The outside of CELL features portraits of other men and women who, as prisoners of conscience, have been incarcerated, and sometimes executed, in the cause of human freedom and dignity, and have been sustained by their faith, hope and love.
Visitors are invited to enter CELL and remain inside for three minutes – a five millionth of Navalny’s sentence. Your sentence can be set on the hourglass found inside CELL.
As an act of solidarity, you are invited to spend time in contemplation and prayer using the resources provided.
Since Navalny’s death this installation has taken on a whole new and very poignant presence. It has been updated by the artist to reflect Navalny’s death and further prayer resources have been added. Please do come and pray and bring flowers or cards if you wish.
