Chris Gollon’s Magdalene at the Base of the Cross has been installed beside the High Altar at Southwark Cathedral, writes Cristina Trujillo…
Mary Magdalene is a thought-provoking and educational subject for Southwark Cathedral’s Lent offering.
Credit: Southwark Cathedral
The painting, installed for Lent, is to be shown alongside CHRIS GOLLON: Life in Paint, on Friday, 6 March – a documentary showing the influential artist at work.
Mary Magdalene was often maligned as a prostitute who followed Jesus Christ, but has seen her historical legacy shapeshift over the years. These days, she is normally recognised as one of Jesus’ most important apostles, having undergone significant re-examination by scholars and academics.
Southwark Cathedral chose this focus as a part of its celebration of Women’s History Month.
Contemporary painter Chris Gollon, whose work sits in major public collections held by the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, created the painting in 2013.
The established British painter is known for exhibiting alongside eminent modern artists ranging from David Bowie and Yoko Ono to Tracey Emin.
The immersive documentary viewing will combine the historic setting of Southwark Cathedral with the painting in situ, creating a unique experience for art and history buffs alike.
Premiered at the Barbican Centre in London and screened in New York in 2025, the 85-minute documentary explores Gollon’s portrayal of women over the years and how it links to religious themes.
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Commenting on the painting’s significance in modern culture, Precentor of Southwark Cathedral Canon Kathryn Fleming said: “Mary Magdalene stands at the foot of the Cross and at the beginning of Easter morning.
“In Chris Gollon’s painting, she is shown exhausted, broken by grief yet faithful still, clinging to the wood of the Cross that connects her to Christ.”
When: Friday, 6 March 2026, 7.15pm
Where: Southbank Cathedral, Montague Close, London, SE1 9DA
Tickets are £5 and available here
