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Liverpool Anglican Cathedral 2010:  'Station One'

St. Ethelburgas London 2010: 'Station 2'

Chichester Cathedral 2008: Photographs by Derek Smith

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'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:

  1. The Very Reverend Justin Welby, Dean of Liverpool Anglican Cathedra
  2. Simon Keyes, Director of St Ethelburgas Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, Bishopsgate London.
  3. 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

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