AN exhibition featuring re-interpretations of the 14 Stations of the Cross can be seen at St Michael’s Church in Discoed near Presteigne throughout Lent.

The thought-provoking exhibition, in aid of the human rights charity Freedom from Torture, is one of a series of events being hosted by the church.

The Friends of St Michael’s have specially commissioned artwork for the two-month event, asking 14 visual artists to produce modern versions of the 14 Stations of the Cross – artistic interpretations of Jesus’s experience in the final hours of his life, from Pilate condemning him to death, to his being laid in the tomb.

The paintings, available to buy, depict images of Christ being tortured prior to his crucifixion, with his hands bound or bearing the cross. In the Christian faith, the stations are traditionally a series of sculptures or carvings depicting the last hours of Christ’s life.

The idea behind commissioning the artists came from a meeting between local man David Hiam, instigator of the event, and Professor Frances Spalding, the art historian and biographer, who created a similar event for St John’s, Hampstead, where the artwork was produced by members of the congregation.

David adapted this idea for St Michael’s, enlisting the support of local artists John Clarke, Charles MacCarthy, Susannah Fiennes, Carolyn Blake, Simon Dorrell, Anthea Stilwell, Alison Neal, Dan MacCarthy, Caroline Hands, Nicky Hopwood, Julienne Braham, Andrea Mclean, Richard Bavin and Lois Hopwood.

St Michael’s rector Stephen Hollinghurst said: “I’m used to Discoed staging very high quality arts events, but this is the first time we’ve overtly made the connection between the visual arts and the Gospel and it’s very exciting to see the way the village church, the community, the artists and musicians have all caught the vision for what will, I know, be a challenging and moving series of events.”

Money raised from the show will be donated to the Freedom from Torture charity, which supports survivors of torture living in the UK and campaigns for human rights.

The Stations of the Cross exhibition will run from February 21 to April 9, with a talk in the church’s Friday Focus series being given on February 10 by a representative of Freedom from Torture.

For tickets to the accompanying concerts, Music for Lent on February 18 or The Seven Last Words of Christ on April 7, call 01547 560246. Visit discoed.org for further information.