Preview: Nicola Anthony – The Words That Bind Us Book Launch @ Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral’s ongoing exhibition Magna Carta and the North continues to draw crowds this autumn, with over 15,000 visitors engaging with its centrepiece artwork The Words That Bind Us. Created by international artist Nicola Anthony, the immersive light projection transforms the Cathedral’s nave into a living constellation of public voices, shaped by visitor choices, shadows and footsteps. Commissioned to reflect the values behind the Magna Carta, the piece invites audiences to contribute words and phrases to a modern-day charter—“Peace in our time” emerging as a popular selection.

Now, Anthony has released a limited-edition companion book documenting the journey from sketchbook to projection. It features behind-the-scenes images, workshop contributions, and reflections on embedding contemporary art within a sacred space. The book also honours the many voices that shaped the work, including those whose words couldn’t be physically included in the installation.

To celebrate the launch of the new companion book, Durham Cathedral will host a special evening event featuring a live conversation between artist Nicola Anthony and curator Jacquiline Creswell, whose exchange forms the core of the publication. Guests will also have the chance to experience The Words That Bind Us in full, with an after-dark showcase revealing the light projection at its most striking.

The Words That Bind Us runs daily at Durham Cathedral until 2nd November. The companion book is available for £30 at the Cathedral Museum Shop and online at nicolaanthony.co.uk/shop. For more information on the exhibition, visit www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/events/magna-carta-and-the-north.

The Words That Bind Us (c) Nicola Anthony 2025, light projection artwork at Durham Cathedral – image by Simon Williams