aeternus

STATION XII - Forsaken (The Crucifixion)
Artist, Kevin Rolly

I just came across this most wonderful exhibit entitled:Tributes for Kings: The Stations of the Cross. The exhibit is now showing at the 930 Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky and is the work of artist Kevin Rolly.

I appreciate Kevin’s work in that it uses both the media of film and painting a process he refers to as an “oligraph”. Together with these practices he is able to help the viewer not only have a realistic view of the Passion, but is able to give us an ethereal view of the mystery of holy paradox contained in Christ’s salvific act for sinful mankind. Rolly’s imagery is very contemporary while still honoring some time kept traditions and perhaps that is why I have enjoyed looking at his work.  I think it important to credit modern artist who explore their creativity by being mindful of the Ultimate Creator.  For FAR TOO LONG have artist been given carte blanch to expose the world to their selfish, individualized and debased notions of what it means to live in the world today.  With their examinations of the physical world we have only seen how shallow and limited humanity can be.  I applaud artists who are able to see through this depthless absurdity and instead look into the “mirror darkly” and see beyond.

I had a look at Kevin’s official artitst website and found some of his imagery to be a bit too rough for family viewing (for instance skip the fashion) but I found his travel section nice to examine.  I wish I was able to see these works in person at the Louisville Gallery, but well, this is 2007 we can visit his work in cyberspace instead.  I hope we will all pray for Kevin to continue his spiritual journey and bring others along the path with him through his art.

The image at the top of the screen here is my favorite from the Stations of the Cross exhibit, here is what the artist has to say about Station number twelve, which he entitles Forsaken:

STATION XII - Forsaken (The Crucifixion)

From the first to the last
there was no other way

Beginnings need ends

In the far off country
no eye can see
you now move beyond words

This world will not listen to words
This world speaks in blood
so you must cry back with your own

The wrath of a thousand thousand wars
and the cries of a billion innocents and lost
call out for a chance
one chance
for hope

Now the horizon of all history
broken and longing
gathers to a knife point
and in a final human breath
you throw yourself first
upon the blade

Ends need beginnings
This is your story
It will not be erased
or the door of Heaven shut
(for those who want of such things)

and nothing…
Nothing
will ever be the same again

My son…
come to me
It is accomplished