A River of Light and Language: Nicola Anthony’s ‘The Words That Bind Us’ Transforms Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral has unveiled its landmark summer exhibition, Magna Carta and the North, running until 2 November 2025, with a captivating new installation taking centre stage: The Words That Bind Us, a powerful, light-based artwork by British-Indian contemporary sculptor Nicola Anthony.
Commissioned specially for the exhibition, this immersive installation transforms the Cathedral’s historic Nave into a shimmering river of light and language. Drawing on text from the Magna Cartas in Durham Cathedral’s collection, alongside words crowdsourced from local communities, the projected fragments ripple across the stone floor, shifting and reshaping as visitors walk through the space. The result is an ever-changing, poetic experience that bridges past and present, inviting reflection on justice, democracy, and the values that connect us all.
An Immersive Dialogue Across Centuries
“The Words That Bind Us is a conversation across centuries,” says Nicola Anthony. “Rooted in the ideals of the Magna Carta and shaped by the voices of today, it’s a living river of light and language, inviting visitors to reflect on justice, compassion, and community. I hope people leave with a deepened connection to this sacred space, and a sense of belonging to something larger: a shared, evolving vision for a more equitable future — a powerful, ongoing conversation about social justice.”
Developed through a series of workshops with local community groups, schools, and contributions submitted via an online portal, the artwork represents a collective vision of fairness, identity, and hope. Visitors are encouraged to engage directly with the installation: as they select words and phrases that resonate most, these grow dynamically within the projection, forming a living, ever-expanding “Modern Charter”, a digital manifesto shaped in real-time by the audience itself.
Art Meets History: Contemporary Installations in a Sacred Space
The Words That Bind Us forms part of a wider programme of contemporary installations commissioned for Magna Carta and the North, exploring the enduring relevance of the Magna Carta through art, storytelling, and community engagement.
Complementing Anthony’s light-based work are large-scale suspended voiles by artist and photographer Ash Mills, installed between the columns of the Cathedral’s West End and Galilee Chapel. Inspired by stained-glass techniques, these vibrant illustrations weave together medieval motifs with modern interpretations of the Magna Carta’s legacy, creating a layered, visually rich dialogue between tradition and innovation.
“Ash’s work brings a visual richness to the exhibition,” says Andrew Usher, Chief Officer: Visitor Experience and Enterprise. “It invites visitors to look up and reflect on how the ideals of Magna Carta continue to shape our world.”
Experiencing the Magna Carta Up Close
Beyond the contemporary installations, Magna Carta and the North offers a rare opportunity to see three original issues of the Magna Carta — from 1216, 1225, and 1300 — alongside three Charters of the Forest. This marks the first time in eight years these historic documents have been displayed together.
Visitors can view the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta, alongside practical Forest Charters that historically granted access to natural resources and protected local communities. Marking the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue, this is a unique chance to engage directly with documents that laid the foundations for principles still central today: accountability, fairness, and the protection of the vulnerable.
All photography: Ash Mills
Plan Your Visit
Magna Carta and the North runs from 11 July to 2 November 2025.
Admission:
Entry to Durham Cathedral and the light installation is free (donations welcome)
Admission to view the original Magna Carta documents in the Durham Cathedral Museum:
£7.50 for adults
Free for under-18s
Location: Durham Cathedral, Durham, UK
With its blend of historic treasures and immersive, interactive art, the exhibition is an unmissable summer highlight — offering visitors a powerful exploration of how the ideals of freedom, equality, and community continue to resonate across centuries.
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