Modern art meets Christian faith at Beaney exhibition

One of the country’s most significant collections of modern Christian art is to go on display in Canterbury for the first time early in the new year.

The Methodist Modern Art Collection is a unique exhibition that has toured the UK and abroad since its inception in the 1970s.

Up to 40 items will go on display from January 14 for three months at the Beaney, including work by artists Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frink, Edward Burra and Patrick Heron.

The artworks depict biblical stories and images and feature a fascinating variety of painting techniques. Scenes depicted include The Deposition of Christ by Sutherland and The Lamentation of Christ by Frink.

Called Picturing Faith, the exhibition is being delivered in partnership with Kent College. Its lead exhibition organiser Simon Sorokos said: “It is unusual for all of the works to be exhibited at once, and some pieces will be on show for the first time.

“We hope it will appeal to people of all ages and all faiths. We aim to engage the whole community and we are especially keen to encourage local schools to come and learn from the work on display.”

There will be an accompanying programme of supporting events and activities, which are designed to appeal to a wide audience.

They include an exhibition of work by pupils from Canterbury Academy and Kent College, responding to the Beaney’s displays of objects and images around the themes of world faiths, superstitions and totems.

There will also be lectures and a schools learning day called Beliefs and Superstitions.

Right, Pieta by Elisabeth Frink from the Methodist Modern Art Collection