Maria Gabankova, Phil Irish + Nathan Stretch, Brian David Johnston, Ruthia Pak Regis, James Paterson, Lynne McIlvride, Paul Roorda, Betty Spackman, Patricia June Vickers

This exhibition brings together ten contemporary artists to reflect deeply on sections of the Biblical passion narratives. The works incorporate painting, sculpture, video, digital print, drawing, and collage.

The artists' creative processes formed a kind of meditation - lingering on the texts, reflecting on contemporary experiences and driving questions, and trusting the bodily effort of creation to deepen their understanding. The resulting artworks invite a generous, complex dialogue about the meaning of Jesus' suffering.

The exhibition is not focused narrowly on the suffering of Jesus, but repeatedly gives voice to human suffering in contemporary life. How does Jesus' suffering meet our own? How might we be called to participate in Christ's suffering? How does the cross become the marker of God's solidarity with humanity in all that we go through - including abandonment, accusation, pain, and death? The Passion fuels our own com-passion: the understanding that, in unity of love, we suffer together.

Please join the artists, on Thursday March 2nd. 5 - 7 pm, to learn more about their work, to celebrate their achievement, and to experience the exhibition with others.

Press Release: Phil Irish - Exhibition Curator

Promotional Image Credit: Maria Gabankova, detail of As in a Mirror, 2022.

Media contact: Shannon McBride, smcbricle@redeemer.ca

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Maria Gabánková - As in a Mirror

(Digital Print, drawings and photos)

Gabankova’s image of the crucifixion As in a Mirror examines the moment when Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other. In one of his last words from the cross, Jesus is building the relationships of those gathered to him. A wider gathering is also included in the piece – drawing figures from different eras, incorporating echoes of historical artworks of faith. Gabankova reveals that “other people are drawn from real life contemporaries and realities, such as technology, robots, and artificial intelligence.” A motley sampling of humanity finds itself at the foot of the cross, and how will they respond? The use of an undulating mirrored surface recalls the title of the piece, As in a Mirror. The buckled mylar brings our own reflections into the image - we are entangled in the image of Christ’s work of suffering and love. Right now, as Paul writes in I Corinthians 13, we see distortedly as in a mirror. Christ’s work on the cross, however, forges a way for us - in eternity - to move beyond reflections and fragmented representations, and meet face to face.

Phil Irish

Brian David Johnston

Sculpture in centre: Jesus crowned with thorns

Phil Irish (left)                                     Ruthia Pak Regis (right)

Crushed, my beloved                                                                  Women of Jerusalem      

Mylar Reflections

Brian David Johnston

Agonia Series

Paul Roorda

Tally

Lynne McIlwride

Ken 1-3 & Resurrection

James Paterson

Triumphal Entry

Patricia June Vickers (left)             Betty Spackman (right)

Jesus Betrayed by Judas                                    Explain Yourself

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