As I contemplated what to post for such a day as this, I decided that art for personal meditation might be best. Below are some of my own drawings and those of one of my favorite artists, Sieger Köder.
- Double Annunciation by Susan Forshey, 2001 (detail)
I often read the biblical stories as time-bending narratives. “Double Annunciation” connects the annunciation of Jesus’ birth with Jesus giving John to Mary as her son at the foot of the cross. Young Mary gives the lily, a frequent symbol of the angelic greeting, to Older Mary, who receives it while in John’s arms. The foreground drawing itself is a magnification of the distant crosses on the hill–distant to us in time, but not in heart.
- Double Annunciation by Susan Forshey, 2001.
Good Friday is not simply about the crucifixion but also the healing that somehow, mysteriously, comes through the life-death-resurrection of Jesus to each of us. Below is another time-and-distance-bending drawing depicting a woman in the modern world gazing out of her hospital window at Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood, and receiving healing herself. The hill of crosses stands in the distance.
- Hope by Susan Forshey, 2003.
Finally, four paintings by one of my favorite artists, Sieger Köder, a Catholic priest, known as a “preacher with pictures”. In many of Köder’s paintings, Jesus’ face is shown only in reflection on wine or water.
- Last Supper by Sieger Köder
- Washing of Feet by Sieger Köder
- Jesus and Simon the Cyrene by Sieger Köder
- Crucifixion by Sieger Köder
With you at the foot of the cross,
Susan