Helping to celebrate the Christian festival of Epiphany – the arrival of the three kings at the manger – is an exhibition currently on display in Bath Abbey.
The exhibition features a collection of diptychs (double panels of artwork) that depict stories from the Bible about Christ’s early years and is on display until 6th February in the newly-restored east end of the church.
The diptychs exhibition, ‘Hope for the Nations’, includes a series of beautifully hand-crafted work that has been created especially for the Abbey by Bath-based artist Sue Symons.
Each diptych comprises of one panel of calligraphy, with beautifully illustrated verses from the Bible, and an adjacent textile panel.
Bath Abbey’s Missioner, Revd Stephen Girling, who curated the exhibition, said: “We’re delighted to see a selection of our Bath Abbey Diptychs back in the Abbey again. This exhibition of selected Abbey Diptychs, explores the theme of Epiphany. From Christmas to early February Christians around the world celebrate the season of Epiphany.
Over a six-week-period we explore how Jesus Christ is a manifestation of God. Through his appearance to the three Kings, his teaching, his miracles and his baptism we see Christ embodying the life of God.
This is not the first time that Bath Abbey has exhibited a collection of diptychs by Sue Symons.
The Abbey’s first collection was received in 2007. ‘One Man’s Journey to Heaven’ presented 35 diptychs illustrating the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It has proven to be very popular with the Abbey’s congregation and visitors alike with diptych merchandise a best seller in the church shop.
The current exhibition is free; visitors are invited to make a donation at the door when they enter the Abbey.
