'Victim, no resurrection'
'Stations of
the Cross From Liverpool to Jerusalem
Victim, no resurrection', the uncompromising and
controversial crucifix by Terry Duffy has begun a four year journey
from Liverpool to Jerusalem to bring attention to the plight of
victims everywhere and in search of greater peace and
reconciliation. It brings a new and challenging contemporary context
to Christ’s passion focusing upon issues of global importance,
transcending religious and cultural boundaries. The focus of this
global journey; are the victims of genocide, holocaust, slavery,
torture, terrorism, tyranny, bigotry and hatred.
This crucifix was painted some 27 years ago in
the aftermath of the 1981 UK riots. It now inspires and provokes a
new politically and culturally aware generation extremely cognisant
of global conflict and its victims. Time has caught up with its
symbolism that 'enough is enough' and that the people in power and
authority have to do more to achieve greater peace and
reconciliation.
The journey from Liverpool, where it was painted,
will travel to places of historic and present day conflict following
Duffy as his monumental 14ft (4.2m) high painting is installed in
locations around the world, each location becoming a 'Station of the
Cross'. 'Station One' at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral began this
Lent and then to 'Station Two' St Ethelburgas (The Centre for
Reconciliation and Peace) in London on March 22nd. From there it
will go to Coventry Cathedral to mark the 70th
anniversary of the bombing of Coventry and then onto Dresden, South
Africa, Belfast and New York to commemorate the 10th
anniversary of 9/11. In 2012 and 2013 it is in planning for
the journey to continue to Auschwitz, Sudan, Bosnia, China, South
America, Palestine and finally Jerusalem paradoxically at Easter
2014 for the 'Resurrection'.
Each location has its unique needs for
reconciliation as does each 'Station of the Cross' have its symbolic
narrative within the context of Christ as the victim. The combined
emphasis of these two elements will charge each 'Station' and
location with unique symbolism, issues, experiences and potential
results within progressive, evolving theological, ethical and
cultural debate. As the journey unfolds the dialectic narrative of
the conflict on all sides will be realised, that no nation, no
people, have clean hands.
'Station One' focused upon the decision making by
Pontius Pilate, the washing of hands, the mob, the question of
remorse and forgiveness in relation to present day issues of
conflict. The discussion attracted such contributors as Professor
Frank Wood Director of The Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace
Studies; Ross McGarry Veteran of the Gulf war and now completing a
PhD researching those who have died and survived the Afghanistan and
Iraq conflict; Jo Blackman, activist re peace and anti-arms trade,
human rights, international and most recently, climate change; Keith
Butcher, local politician and campaigner for the release of victims
of conscience; Jo Dover & Rosie Aubrey from the Warrington Peace
Centre and the 'Survivors for Peace" project; Anne Eyre, a
Hillsborough victim and Phd research into reporting, investigation,
accountability and legacy of such events, she says, "I have spent 20
years working through a transformation from victim to survivor."
'Station two' focused upon Christ symbolically
picking up his cross and in so doing moves on from victim to
survivor. The programme of discussions and debates will therefore,
focus upon the scale of humanity and inhumanity worldwide,
investigate the diverse cultural nature of London and its historic
importance at the centre of what was the British Empire with all its
rights and wrongs. It will also question issues of gender as raised
in the artwork and also look at the potential for the empowerment of
victims to become survivors. Events at St Ethelburgas include, faith
responses to Victim with perspectives from Judaism, Buddhism and
Christianity, speakers include Rabbi Debbi Sommers and Alison
Murdoch. The politics of victimhood with Brendan McAllister,
(Commissioner for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland) and
Helen Bamber OBE.
'Station Three' Coventry Cathedral, in November
2010 will focus upon the symbol of Christ falling for the first time
under the vast weight of inhumanity. It will poignantly take place
during the 70th anniversary of the destruction of the cathedral and
the city. It will focus upon the citizens of Coventry and their
personal and communal progress from victim to survivor and the
cathedrals’ symbolic rising from the ashes as an international
centre for reconciliation. Recreating Coventry as a memorial to the
countless people killed in the war and other wars. The project links
in with the Cross of Nails, an international network of over 150
organisations in 60 countries committed to a shared ministry of
reconciliation.
Following this in 2011, we hope the artwork will
paradoxically be installed at Dresden Cathedral, the Lutheran church
of 'The Church of our Lady' (Dresdner Frauenkirche) which was
destroyed by Allied bombers in 1943 and has been reconstructed after
some 60 years as a symbol of reconciliation between former enemies.
This will be 'Station Four' which poignantly in respect to 'The
Church of our Lady' is when symbolically 'Jesus meets his Mother'.
The debate therefore, will be around issues of personal and
community relationships, atonement, rebirth, reconstruction, new
hope and how to achieve greater peace and reconciliation.
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The project started as a concept in summer 2009
and has since then attracted a great deal of attention. It has three
partners who have been of great help in realising its potential and
taking it to fruition. The partners are:
- The Very Reverend Justin Welby, Dean of Liverpool Anglican
Cathedra
- Simon Keyes, Director of
St
Ethelburgas Centre for Reconciliation and Peace,
Bishopsgate London.
- Canon David Porter, Coventry Cathedral Director of
Reconciliation and also responsible for the Community of the
Cross of Nails worldwide.
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For media information and images contact Project
Coordinator
claresheppeard@british-art.org.uk
+ 44 (0)798 163 2967
www.terryduffy.info
Critique
