Mother’s Warmth, an exhibition by Bulgarian artist and iconographer Dian Kostov created in collaboration with psychotherapist Milena Tashkova, will be on display in the Unity Chapel at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral from 30 June to 30 August.
At the heart of the exhibition stands the image of the Virgin Mary as Mother – a symbol of protection, tenderness, and unconditional care. She is the figure to whom humanity turns in times of fear, uncertainty, and suffering, seeking comfort, hope, and meaning.
Through contemporary iconography, drawings, and artistic installations, the exhibition explores the power of compassion and human connection. It asks what helps us remain truly human in a world marked by division, anxiety, and conflict. The exhibition reminds us that the greatest strength is often found in tenderness, compassion, and our ability to care for one another.
Mother’s Warmth is part of the international project Crossroad – The Price of Choice, previously presented in some of Europe’s most remarkable cathedral spaces, including the Votive Church (Votivkirche) in Vienna and the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur) in Brussels.
In 2026, the project unfolds simultaneously in two cathedrals and two cities. At Manchester Cathedral, the exhibition Peace Is Not Given reflects on the conflicts that shake both the world and the human spirit. At Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Mother’s Warmth turns its gaze toward what can sustain us despite them.
Together, the two exhibitions create a shared conversation about the choices we make as individuals and societies. If Manchester raises questions about the wounds left by war and division, Liverpool speaks about the possibility of healing – through tenderness, compassion, and human connection, without which peace cannot exist.
Dian Kostov’s works combine the spiritual depth of Orthodox iconography with a contemporary artistic language, inviting visitors into a personal experience and reflection on the values that matter most: love, hope, and care for one another.
