Prayer – Devotional – Worship life
Best when using as many of our senses as possible
Our voice, hearing, sight, touch & smell
All that is around us informs, influences, shapes
Our faith & religious experience
Whether intentional or unintentional.
Deep breathing exercise
Clear people’s minds
The original intention was to create a piece that explored the crucifixion in an Australian context.
A devotional piece that required close inspection being three dimension.
The cross and the tree are one.
Physically the cross is a weathered tree root that was from a Eucalyptus tree that had been uprooted in a storm many years before so the root had been well weathered.
Jesus body outlined with rusty fencing wire makes the other part of the cross.
Old weathered barbed wire making the crown of thorns.
Started in 1997 but never finished, the background collage was originally intended to have a photographic layer of an Australian outback scene.
The Cross/Tree and collage were assembled but not finished.
While stored, the piece was damaged in a house flood & left.
Until in 2007 when the damage was repaired and a pencil drawing of the background scene was added to the collage.
It had been used a few times & again battered in the process.
A bit like a well loved Icon
Battered with use through a life of prayer.
Feb 2013 A Passion Tree underwent further repairs & conservation.
A layer of pastel drawing was added to the collage scene.
It was photographed this time.
Is it finished? – I don’t know.
There is the subject material
And then there are the layers
Of the piece’s own journey.
It has it’s own life & meaning,
Part of that mystery that is the crucifixion.
I as an artist sought to explore the relationship
Between the crucifixion and the earth
On which the cross stood.
Quiet time of reflection/gazing
Prayer
Conclusion
A Passion Tree
Would normally be used During Lent or Easter
However,
It decades of use & abuse
Signs of wear & tear
Somewhat mirror our Church
And lead into what we will be doing next.