Friday, January 12, 2007

Christ Accepting His Cross

On Wickham Terrace, just up from the intersection of Ann Street, is the All Saints Anglican Church. At the rear of the church is one of the most powerfully emotional sculptures I have come across. Entitled Christ Accepting His Cross, the sculpture depicts Christ standing at the Cross with the sculptor capturing in his posture and face a sense of the vast emotions which would overcome any man or woman with knowledge of their fate to be.

Andor Mészáros (1900-1972) was a Hungarian architect and sculptor who arrived in Australia in 1939. He has various sculptures located throughout Australia, as well as turning his hand to designing medallions. He cast this piece in bronze and the plaque at the site details how it was erected in 1962 to commemorate the centenary of the church, being unveiled on the 8/9/62. I am amazed at how well this sculpture has retained its lustre and image over the past 40 plus years.

Again, I'd reiterate that I'm not a religious person, however this image of Christ contemplating the cross and what we know is to befall him is quite evocative. The cross itself is quite simple. It is the image of the man at the bequest of his faith which elicits the emotional response. In the Anglican Church image archives they note that "Mészáros has treated the figure so that it can also represent any individual, or the whole of humanity, as questions of meaning and purpose are raised."

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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1 comment:

Grim Reality Girl said...

amazing sculpture... makes you think.