"Victim, no resurrection”
Terry
Duffy
"Victim, no
resurrection", challenges the more fortunate and those in authority
to remember the plight of those who are the real victims.
“Victim,
no resurrection”, was painted in aftermath of the 1981 riots in the
UK and has become even more pertinent today than it was then. In the
early 80's the issues were mainly local and national concerned with
the social unrest, unemployment and social deprivation, now the
issues are global concerned with “Victims” of terrorism, religious
persecution, cultural and social divide, global warming, flooding,
famine and War.
The painting
on canvas is 14ft high and 11ft wide and was painted in a cramped
attic room in a semi-derelict building in Liverpool during a two
year period following the riots. A visitor to the studio was the
late Bishop David Sheppard who was extremely concerned about the
plight of people at that time. He would discuss the painting in
great depth and Duffy's comment that the “Victim” or victims (within
the title of the work) being crucified are those without hope of
resurrection.
After its
completion, Duffy received as a result of it a major award from the
Arts Council and the painting went on tour to various galleries in
the UK and later to New York
(see archive)
and the USA. The painting was returned to the UK in late 2006
and shown at the
Liverpool
Anglican Cathedral
during 2007. The
original stretcher, now lost, was made from reclaimed timber which
ironically was from a church burned down during the Toxteth riots.
In January 2008 it will be shown at
Chichester Cathedral
as part of the celebration of its
900th year since
consecration and in remembrance of its famous Bishop George Bell
(1883-1958): “George Bell is remembered for his dedication to
unity amongst those separated by religion, and by war, and he is
described as nothing less than, "a champion of the oppressed." In
2008, it will be 50 years since the death of this remarkable man”.
It will be
shown again in Liverpool in Autumn 2008 as part of the Liverpool
Biennial and European Capital of Culture year.