‘St George and Dead Soldier' painting on display at Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral will be the venue for artist Scott Norwood's exhibition of the painting St George and Dead Soldier between October 31st and November 12th. The painting will be on display throughout this period from 7.30am until 6.15pm and entrance to the Cathedral and this exhibition is free of charge.

St George and Dead Soldier has been stimulated by the deployment of British Forces overseas and the historical misrepresentation of St George. The patron saint of soldiers and England is shown battle-fatigued identifying another fatality of war - exploding the contrived dragon-slayer identity developed during The Crusades, to reveal a man of sorrows.

As a high ranking soldier of the Roman Empire St George's conversion to Christianity was extremely dangerous, yet it inspired him to put down his weapons and personally confront the Emperor Diocletian over his brutal persecution of the Christian minority. St George's dissident pacifism cost him his life.

A copy of this painting is being produced for St George's Church in Baghdad, the only Anglican Church in Iraq. The work is also being exhibited at a number of English Cathedrals over the next year and is planned to tour across Europe and beyond at some of the many regions where St George is also patron saint.

Scott Norwood Witts has previously exhibited at The American Church in London and the Carmelite Friary in Kent. He has produced altarpieces for Dover Castle and The Royal Garrison Church at British Army HQ, Aldershot. He is currently working on three paintings of the life and death of Anne Boleyn.

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Bruce Kent, Veteran Peace Activist and Vice President CCND said of the painting:

This very moving painting says all that needs to be said about the sadness and futility of war. I hope it will be exhibited around the world and so inspire many, not just to regret war, but to work for a world in which we resolve conflicts in the peaceful ways of law, justice and common humanity.

 The Rev'd Canon Andrew P B White from St George's, Baghdad also commented:

It is very rarely that you see a picture that speaks into the precise situation that you are in, especially when you live and work in the most dangerous place in the world. Then suddenly there is Scott Norwood Witts picture of St George. It speaks to every section of our society here in Iraq. To our coalition forces and to our Iraqis. I work with them both. Now we have a strong image of a saint who will protect us, suffer with us but will win. As the priest here in Baghdad of St George's Church, I have a strong vision of hope in a real living image of our saint.