Paradox: Crown of glory, Ink on board, 53 cm x 72 cm, $4000
“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.” 2 Nephi 27:14
I was inspired by this scripture’s simple and powerful doctrine about justice and mercy. It clearly defines the role of each actor, God, Christ as both a sacrificial lamb and redeemer, and mankind. This piece, along with another called Paradox: Crown of thorns, represent the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the final judgment. Both works depict Jesus Christ as a pelican who has sacrificed itself. This symbol was used in Dante’s Divine Comedy. Dante refers to a myth that if food was scarce and rate of survival is low a pelican would gauge itself in order to feed its young off the blood spilled. This is a powerful image I felt would express beautifully the role of our Savior.
In this work we see Christ, crowned and triumphant. His wing encircles those who have chosen Him. He invites them into his bosom where he can care and love them forever. His other wing is outstretched to signify dismissal of those who have rejected Him. The crown below symbolizes the crown of God as it is He who lifts men to be judged by Christ.