Modern mosaic artwork depicting St Jerome with a computer to be displayed at Wombwell Church

A new artwork coming to a Dearne Valley church features just that.

The mosaic design was produced in 2020 and celebrates St Jerome’s translation of the Bible from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into Latin in the late fourth century.

Set to be put on display next month at St Michael’s Church in Wombwell between July and September, the fusion of modern and ancient is part of a larger mosaic that has been commissioned by the Bible Society and the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

It was created by Portsmouth-based artist Pete Codling and is titled Little Bits of God.

Jerome himself is depicted in the mosaic with the traditional symbols associated with him of a lion, a book and a skull.

Artist Codling said: “In this contemporary mosaic, the book pages on his desk blend into a computer keyboard and his stylised quill pen, or stylus, remind the viewer that Bible reading, learning and studying also now take place online via the internet.

“The Bible speaks now through the digital as well as the printed text.”  

Another modern reference picking up the theme of mortality and suffering is the depiction of three-year-old Syrian refugee boy Alan Kurdi, who drowned in 2015 as his family attempted to leave Turkey.

Biblical figures including Jesus, Mary and St Matthew are also represented.

Codling added: “The idea behind this artwork has challenged me technically as well as artistically.

“My research for this artwork took me to Ravenna and Venice in search of materials, technique and craftmanship.

“I wanted to portray the Bible visually, and convey the journey of translation from the oral tradition to the digital age in one coherent artwork.”

The mosaic stands on a pedestal which is an integral part of the work.

It is over two metres tall and is formed of ten panels created from thousands of pieces of coloured glass.