The Stations of the Cross

As is appropriate for Lent, the theme of the next exhibit at Red Bank Community Church will be the Stations of the Cross.The Stations have been a traditional theme of Christian art for centuries। Of the traditional stations, only eight have a clear scriptural foundation. Pope John Paul II, however, introduced a set of scriptural Stations in 1991 that align with the gospel accounts. This opens up the Stations as a devotional model to a broader range of Christians.

I am curating the show and have invited artists from across the country to create pieces based on the scriptural Stations. Through their works, these artists facilitate our contemplation of and connection with the suffering of Christ. So, in addition to having a conventional exhibit opening, we are also going to open up the space for a meditation service on the evening of Good Friday.

The piece that I am contributing to the exhibit consists of fourteen long, narrow banners that hang on the wall and gently roll onto the floor. At the foot of each banner is a pillow where visitors can kneel and reflect on each station. I made these banners by painting on a hot box with encaustic paints and then making a mono print on Japanese Kozo paper. You can see this process in the video above.

I invite you all to come to the exhibit and consider the great suffering that Jesus endured on our behalf. The exhibit opening is on Saturday, March 31 from 3-5PM at 135 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, NJ. The reflection service will be on Good Friday, April 6, 6-8 PM. Additional exhibit viewing hours will be held during the entire month of April on Wednesdays 6-7 PM and on Sundays 12-1 PM.