Durham Cathedral is excited to announce it is working with a number of artists and design specialists to create contemporary art and digital experiences for the upcoming Magna Carta and the North exhibition this summer.
From 11 July, three rare Magna Cartas from the cathedral’s collection will go on display in Durham Cathedral Museum to mark the 800th anniversary of this 1225 issue. To celebrate the anniversary, the cathedral has also commissioned three artists to create bespoke temporary installations throughout the cathedral, that collectively tell the story of these 800-year-old documents, which remain a powerful symbol of social justice in the world today.
On arrival, and through the Galilee Chapel, visitors will be able to see work by artist and photographer Ash Mills. Huge voiles will be hung between the columns and will depict the Magna Carta story through the artist's reimagining using ‘stained-glass’ style illustrations.
Following this, visitors will encounter a ‘river of words’ flowing through the Nave of the cathedral, — a poetic imagining that builds on the impact and legacy of Magna Carta, reinterpreting it's spirit for today’s world.
Created by contemporary artist Nicola Anthony, the luminous artwork uses the written word, crowdsourced by local community groups, to form a ‘Modern Charter’. The artwork is then projected onto the cathedral floor, where the words flow, ripple, and subtly reshape themselves as visitors walk through them.
Andrew Usher, Chief Officer for Visitor Experience and Enterprise says,
“The themes of freedom and social justice in the Magna Carta still have a significant impact today. We’re so pleased to be working with a number of artists and design specialists to explore more ways to engage people by telling the story of these documents through art, light and sound around the cathedral."
With animated displays of colour and motion, Nicola’s piece will engage with local groups before the exhibition and also everyone during a visit to Durham Cathedral this summer, as it will flow through the Nave. The artwork will change daily as all those who visit the Museum exhibition will have the chance to vote for a word or phrase that resonates with them. This will then inform the words and phrases shown on the cathedral floor, creating an interactive and ever-changing art piece.
Nicola says,
“The Magna Carta caused ripples of change that have impacted how democracy and rights are understood in a fair society. I hope visitors will be drawn first to explore the light as a flowing river, and then to look deeper to read its component words. They may choose to bathe in the light of a particular word or phrase, letting it rest in their hands, perhaps trying to capture it in a photo, but ultimately experiencing it as momentary and without physical presence.”
Nicola is working in collaboration with North East innovative creative studio NOVAK to bring the ‘river of words’ to life through beautifully crafted digital projections, giving people a unique and immersive experience. Durham Cathedral has also commissioned NOVAK to create a film shown in the museum prior to seeing the historic documents. Based on the characters from history that formed the Magna Carta, the film will transport audiences on a journey through medieval Britain using illustrations and storytelling.
Adam Finlay, Director of NOVAK says,
“NOVAK is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Durham Cathedral and Nicola Anthony on this new and exciting artwork which will undoubtedly be a pivotal part of Durham Cathedral’s Magna Carta exhibition. In addition, the film itself is an exciting project which will allow us to develop a brand new piece that delves into the origins and history of Magna Carta, its connections to the North East of England and the role it has played in shaping our modern world.”
All artworks will be on display from 11 July to 2 November 2025 as part of the new exhibition, Magna Carta and the North. There is no admission charge to enter the cathedral or to see the artworks on the cathedral floor. The Magna Carta documents and NOVAK film will be on display in Durham Cathedral Museum and will cost £7.50 for adults and is free for under 18s.
On display in the Museum will be the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta, along with issues from 1225 and 1300, and three Forest Charters - practical documents granting access to land and natural resources.
Meet the artists
Ash Mills is a professional photographer, based near Salisbury in the UK, with over 25 years of experience working all around the world in environments from jungle to arctic, desert and mountain. Ash relishes the challenge of making your shots look awesome, whether it is your amazing wedding day or your wild expedition in the jungle.
Nicola Anthony is known for her large-scale text sculptures and public commissions. Her practice encompasses sculpture, installation, drawing, written word and collaboration. Informed by her British Indian roots, her works explore contemporary issues by giving voice to unspoken stories and narratives that connect with history, people and places. Drawing on both individual and collective experience, Anthony’s works explore the inherent possibilities of language using the versatility and power of the written word. Often imbuing source texts with a powerful materiality that links past and present, within her works there is an openness to re-interpretation and wordplay as a way to explore, subvert or challenge the status quo.
NOVAK is an innovative creative studio specialising in immersive experiences and beautifully crafted digital media. Their work transforms museums, galleries, stage productions, visitor attractions, and cultural events, creating impactful and memorable moments that captivate audiences. NOVAK’s portfolio spans major exhibitions such as The Book of Kells Experience (Trinity College Dublin), The Lindisfarne Gospels (Laing Art Gallery), and Dippy on Tour (Great North Museum, Newcastle), with their expertise extending to large-scale, site-specific installations showcased at global arts events like Lumiere, Edinburgh International Festival, Brighton Festival, Light Night Leeds, and Singapore Night Festival. In theatre and dance, they have brought stories to life through acclaimed productions, including Doctor Who: Time Fracture, The Paddington Bear Experience, and Beautiful Thing (GDIF, London).
