Modern art installation depicts Christs pain

A modern art installation of Jesus on the cross made out of 3,000 coat hangers has gone on display at Southwark Cathedral.

The striking work is by Turner Prize nominated artist David Mach and is entitled Die Harder.

In contrast to the mournful expressions normally depicted in Christ on the cross statues or art works, Mach portrays Jesus’s face contorted as he screams out in agony.

The sense of pain is heightened by the way in which the Edinburgh-based artist has straightened the coat hanger hooks to stick out like spikes from Christ’s body.

Mach has previously used coat hangers to fashion sculptures of gorillas and tigers.

This latest work was created as part of the cathedral’s celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible last year.

The piece is on display at the cathedral until Good Friday on April 6. Mach will be at the cathedral on 11 and 25 March to talk about the piece.

Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark, said the sculpture “will bring home to people the human agony of the Crucifixion”.

“Work of this quality and character will produce intense responses which will help in our mission nd engagement with the truth of the Gospel in joy and in agony,” he said.