A series of paintings showing religious iconography through a contemporary lens have gone on display in Canterbury Cathedral this month in a unique take on the Christian story.
Sacred Resonance: Telling the Christian story anew at Canterbury Cathedral
The ten works by French artist Renaud Muraire (b.1972) depict familiar icons and stories from the Bible in new modern guises.
Focusing on youth as well as fashion, these images showcase the relevance of the Bible narratives to every age, including our own. Through surprising and thought-provoking contemporary codes, making the known slightly unfamiliar, they highlight how the stories of the past ultimately still speak to the issues of today.
The artworks use bold block colours and bear a resemblance to the icons of Orthodoxy, however modern fashion and hair styles make these interpretations a unique take on the Christian story and include new works drawing inspiration from Adam and Eve, the Annunciation, Cain and Abel, Pieta, the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, amongst others.
Halos often feature around the individuals, along with words reflecting more modern ideas such as empowerment, or slogans such as “I want it all”. The figures are realised with expressive gestures to create a sense of dynamism. Stares draw the viewer in, capturing and creating moments of contemplation, conflict and connection.
Some images are familiar in their composition, for example Pieta (2022) draws inspiration from the famous images of Mary Mother of God cradling her son at Calvary, while others introduce new elements such as The Prodigal Son (2025) where love is represented by an ace of hearts playing card.
Through their deliberate simplicity, the works focus on the earthly lived experiences that are easily relatable to everyone. By drawing on thousands of years of Christian art they are still infused with the traditions of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque art that has continued to tell the Christian story to new generations.
Renaud Muraire says:
“I’ve always been deeply drawn to religious paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, especially because they introduced a new sense of proximity. They didn’t just represent the sacred, they embodied it through human gestures, emotions, and bodies. Many of these images were simple, sometimes even naïve in their drawing, yet they carried enormous meaning.
He adds “What fascinates me is imagining how people related to these images at a time when visual culture was rare. They functioned as points of projection where people brought their own lives, fears, hopes, and inner struggles into them. That’s what makes biblical narratives so powerful, that they depict condensed human situations, and this is what makes them timeless and endlessly relatable.”
David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury says:
“This exciting and important exhibition opens up the dialogue of what it means to have Christian faith today shaped by these stories but also what does it mean to be a human being today recognising that these people and stories from the past can speak to us today.”
Curator Jacquiline Creswell comments,
“Renaud Muraire employs vibrant colours and expressive gestures to create a sense of dynamism and presence in his paintings. Colours evoke specific emotions, and their intentional use can transform ordinary subjects into extraordinary reflections and emotion. Expressive gestures convey depth, capturing moments of contemplation, conflict, and connection. Through these techniques, he imbues his figures with life, inviting us to witness their inner experiences.
One of the most compelling aspects of this body of work is the invitation extended to viewers. Muraire’s paintings encourage individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs, to contemplate their own personal journeys. The stripped-down imagery acts as a mirror, reflecting the viewers’ doubts, vulnerabilities, hopes, and longings for connection. This accessibility cultivates a universal dialogue, one that transcends specific religious frameworks and addresses broader themes of existence.”
Sacred Resonance is on display in the East Crypt until 7 September 2026
