The Unknown Martyrs exhibition features a collection of contemporary icons by artist Paul Hobbs, utilizing gold leaf and national flags to commemorate individuals who have suffered for their faith. Each distressed wooden panel offers a window into the reality of modern hardship and personal resilience. These works invite deep contemplation on the intersection of human courage and religious faith.
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This exhibition features a striking series of contemporary icons by artist Paul Hobbs, commemorating modern Christians who suffer for their faith worldwide. Through gold-leaf panels incorporating national flags and line drawings of individuals, the works explore themes of hope, resilience, and faith amidst persecution.
The 'Unknown Martyrs' exhibition features a powerful series of contemporary icons created by artist Paul Hobbs, designed to commemorate modern Christians facing persecution around the world. Each artwork is crafted from wooden panels, incorporating gold leaf to symbolize God's presence, alongside fragments of national flags that identify the countries where these acts of suffering have occurred. The figures depicted are line drawings of individuals whose lives serve as windows into the reality of modern religious hardship, often including those who are little known or forgotten. Beyond their aesthetic form, the works are deliberately distressed—soiled, scorched, or scratched—to reflect the physical and emotional suffering endured by those portrayed. The exhibition invites visitors to contemplate the value of faith and the cost of belief in a cynical world. By connecting global stories of resilience with individual courage, the collection encourages reflection, prayer, and a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by contemporary martyrs.
The exhibition is showing at Bath Abbey during regular visiting hours. Please note that as an active church, the Abbey may occasionally close for services or special events, so visitors are advised to check the latest opening times on the website before traveling.
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