A UNIQUE exhibition at the former shepherd's church of St Michael's in Discoed during Lent will portray an individual perspective of the Last Supper.

The Private View of the exhibition will be opened by the Right Reverend Richard Frith, Bishop of Hereford. All proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to St Michael’s Hospice, Hereford.

"The setting of a church for an exhibition of art brings together the spiritual and the aesthetic," says artist Charles MacCarthy. "Of course churches are highly aesthetic already but by introducing contemporary art the validity of religious experience is refreshed and the continuity between ancient and modern aesthetics is strengthened."

Two years ago the commissioned artists explored themes found in the gospel accounts of the Last Supper. This year's exhibition, entitled ‘The Twelve’, focuses entirely on the meal itself and those who were present.

Around the walls of the church will be a series of twelve intriguing portraits each one representing one of the disciples. Central to the exhibition will be Charles MacCarthy's installation of The Last Supper table That They May All Be One.

"I wanted two things from this exhibition," says Charles MacCarthy. "First that the focus should be concentrated on the Last Supper itself, unlike the previous show which explored precedents and parallels. Secondly I wanted to stress Jesus' plea for unity and to emphasise the universal nature of this prayer."

The exhibition runs from Tuesday, February 17 to Monday, April 6, 10am to 5.30pm daily.