The St Joseph Crucifix

By

Wiktor Szostalo 

Explanation of the Crucifix:

    The crucifix is meant to be real and part of the artist’s experience.  The crucifix had to show real suffering.  Actually,  the crucifixion of Jesus is also redemption through suffering and death.  I wanted to show it.  This crucifix also portrays Christ as primarily a black man, which I believe is important to show.  Being Black in the world and especially in this country, our suffering is united with Christ’s suffering – but glorious suffering. The head of Christ is inclined to the community gathered around and below so that He has eye contact with the community and there is a ‘sweet expression” on his face,  For suffering leads to glory.  It did in Christ’s life and so in ours.  We believe from out Catholic faith that suffering leads to redemption and glorious resurrection.  

 Materials Used:

     Glory comes through the materials, tools, resins and paints which I used for the crucifix.  These materials are expressive.  The corpus of body of Christ is made entirely of poplar wood.  It was carved by use of a chain saw, fire, chisels and polishing tools.  It adorned with a variety of pan-Africian colors stains to reflect that Jesus Christ came for one and for all peoples.  There is some gold guilding on the loin cloth. The cross is made entirely of oak wood.  This crucifix did not come easy.  I had to struggle myself in making it.  It took hard work which I’m glad about.  Art has to work on more than one level –subconsciously.  This also affects our response.  

What I Hope This Crucifix Will Achieve:

     Each time that this crucifix is looked at, I hope that it will be inspiring to people for a long time.  Each time people come to St Joseph to pray, or just to sit here, the crucifix will be drawing people.  Jesus Christ was and is very real.  I hope that the Crucifix will continually evoke people’s emotions. Art is something that should not exhaust its appeal in just one time. No, it should be more.  I hope people for days and years to come will learn more about the crucifixion and the glory coming from it.  Whatever they get out of it w ill help them get through life.  That to me is the “bottom line”.  Religious  art must connect with our daily lives.  I hope that this crucifix at St Joseph will help people connect their lives with the life of Jesus Christ – who suffered, died and rose for our salvation.

This artist was also commissioned to create the St Joseph and Young Jesus in the vestibule  and the Madonna and 
Child located in the Rectory Chapel.  See other creations by this artist at his website:  http://www.szostalosculpture.com/