Commissioned especially for the exhibition, this immersive installation by contemporary artist Nicola Anthony transforms the historic space into a river of light and language. Projected text, drawn from Durham Cathedral’s Magna Cartas and crowdsourced from local communities, shimmers across the floor, shifting and rippling as visitors move through it. The result is a living, poetic experience that invites reflection on justice, democracy, and the values that connect us all.
Anthony explains: “The Words That Bind Us is a conversation across centuries - 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, as well as contributions from members of the public via an online portal, The Words That Bind Us embodies a collective vision of fairness and hope. Throughout the exhibition, which runs until 2 November, visitors can select words or phrases that resonate with them most. These choices then grow in size in real time within the projection, forming a living, ever-changing “Modern Charter.”
Nicola Anthony (b. London, 1984) lives and works in the UK. She graduated from Loughborough University in 2006 with support from Tate Britain and was awarded the AstraZeneca Commission shortly thereafter. Anthony represented the UK at Expo 2020 Dubai, and her work has been exhibited internationally, including a solo exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum (2017) and participation in the Kuala Lumpur Biennale (2018). She was a finalist for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize (2021) and the recipient of the New Voices of Ireland Award (2019).
Her works are held in numerous public and private collections, including the Goldrich Family Foundation (US), The Ingram Collection (UK), the AstraZeneca corporate collection, and the University of Galway (Ireland).
Notable public commissions include Remembering Our Father’s Words (2018) for Steven Spielberg’s USC Shoah Foundation, Los Angeles; a permanent work for the National University of Ireland (commissioned by European City of Culture 2020); Our Time at Lim Chin Tsong Palace, Myanmar (2020); and Unexpected Happiness at the National Design Centre, Singapore (2018).
Recent permanent works include Murmuration at the National University of Ireland, unveiled in 2023, and Metamorphosis (2023), her largest artwork to date—a monumental light projection illuminating the 100-metre façade of Liverpool Cathedral.
The Words That Bind Us, at Durham Cathedral’s until 2 November 2025.
Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that The Words That Bind Us has just been published!
Join us for the official book launch on 20 October 2025 at 18:30 — save the date!
✨ RSVP required: Use the code BINDUS25 to book your free ticket here:
https://durhamcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173662785/events
📖 Purchase the book £30 from the artist’s shop:
https://www.nicolaanthony.co.uk/shop/the-words-that-bind-us-special-edition-of-200-books
For further assistance about Nicola Anthony’s work
contact [email protected]
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Courtesy and ©Nicola Anthony, Durham Cathedral and Renée Pfister Art & Gallery Consultancy 2025.