‘The Mocking of the Christ #1: Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?’
June, 2021
It is impossible to live in these times at not think about violence. It’s everywhere, veiled or visible, a whispered threat or a screamed demand. intimidation, coercion, opression and dehuminisation. North, south, east, west, seems like everywhere is war and rumours of war nowadays.
This piece is inspired by Fra Angelico’s ‘Mocking of the Christ’ from 1441. I wanted to show the continued relevence of Christ’s mocking and torture at the hands of the Roman soldiers. How people who are standing up for justice, love and human dignity around the world are met with violence and derision at the hands of the state. More importantly though, I wanted to show the calm, the fortitude, the power that comes from being grounded in a self-giving love and knowledge that you serve a living God, not a dead idol, be it flag, race, caste or currency.
Christ’s endurance of His passion gives us a glimpse of what we may have to endure -pain and loss - and what we may have to sacrifice - something that matters - in the name of love for the other and our own humanity. Love is stronger than death, humanity can resist power’s urge to make it an object or a commodity.
Christ isn’t here to take away your sins, He’s here to show you how to transcend them. His death and resurrection aren’t a transaction, they’re a revelation.
This collage is for everyone on Earth going through their own passion and crucifixion right now; I pray you find the depths of love to stay human. Sooner or later we’re all gonna step out of the tomb and into the light.