Inside the minster I'm tasked with photographing the chapter house. I walk around to the entrance and peep inside this marvel of Gothic architecture. 

The light is low, and as I look through the portal up towards the vaulting I see dragons. At the top of the open door that leads into the chapter house is the upward thrusting head of a dragon. 

I get my lights out and angle them to the side of the door. Instinctively I place them directly to the side of the door. I stand back and look up and I'm taken aback completely. 

The 13th century door is full of life - like the life of the church - in its own flowstate, spiralling upwards with cusping and floral end-stops. I get the sense that this door is orchestrating my every move as my eyes follow the pattern onwards and upwards, until - there it is - the dragon: head turned upwards, like an outlet, as if needed to expunge my awe and wonder. 

It's a a piece of art that has the spectacle of Van Gogh's Starry Night - breathtaking in its rendition, full of telling and narrative. This place is illustrated like a book, there is intent behind each swag and swirl. 


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