Stations of the Cross (V): Simon the Cyrenean Helps Jesus'

Category: Paintings

Artist: Chris Gollon

Subject: Installation

Year of Work: 2003

Media: mixed media on canvas

Size: 40" x 30"

Chris Gollon's 'Stations of the Cross' in St. John on Bethnal Green Church:

This painting forms part os a series of Stations of the Cross which Chris Gollon has been commissioned to paint by the Church of England for a grade-one listed church in east London, designed by Sir John Soane. Details of the entire series can be found on the Commissions page of this website.

In the entire series Gollon has chosen to use his own son Lawrence as the model for Jesus, and in this image he uses Johnny, an old friend of his son, as the model for Simon. Jesus by now is barely up to the task of supporting the Cross and continuing. Indeed, he has fallen once, and will do twice more before he reaches Calvary. His suffering is great, and Simon the Cyrenean it is said was nudged forward by the crowd, almost reluctantly perhaps, yet despite the possible danger to himself from the guards he helps Jesus. A great embodiment of actions speaking louder than words, Simon does not balk at the task, but undertakes it alone, straining hard as he attempts to lift the weight of Jesus. Again the arrows, as symbols of spears and soldiery, remind us of the surrounding cruelty and the danger Simon runs.
Stations of the Cross (I): Jesus is Condemned to Death (Final Version)'Stations of the Cross (II): Jesus Takes Up His Cross' (Final Version)Stations of the Cross (III): Jesus Falls a First Time 'Stations of the Cross (IV): Jesus Meets His Mother' (Final Version)