A RE-IMAGINATION has been made of the ancient Ruthwell Cross.
The stone Anglo-Saxon monumental sculpture, which dates from AD700, is the most famous and elaborate surviving example of its kind.
It is inscribed with lines from the poem the Dream of the Rood and carved with images illustrating scriptural stories.
It was smashed by Presbyterian iconoclasts in 1642, the pieces were later restored in 1823 and four years after it was moved inside Ruthwell church, where an apse was specially built to hold it – and where it still stands today.
However, some of the detail is now badly damaged or missing, but many can still be identified by Latin text carved in the frame of each image.
In 2022, as a means of spiritual journey, Timothy Ray, writer-in-residence at St Columba’s, commissioned the Edinburgh artist and printmaker Cat Outram to re-imagine these images while also trying to remain true to Anglo-Saxon iconography.
And her re-imaginings are set to go on display in an exhibition in Edinburgh, as part of the city’s Sacred Arts Festival.
There will be a special opening on August 12 and the free event will run until August 16 at St Columba by the Castle in Johnston Terrace.
It is hoped that visitors will find contemplation and reflection.
To find out more, go to edinburghsacredartsfestival.org.
