Resurrection Week Art | 2012

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Easter Bonnet Parade in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC

NEW YORK - While painter Tony Melendez (b. NY) created the featured 2012 Holy-day Art for Easter, it was Thomas Kinkade (b. CA) who created with his death, albeit unintentionally the most lasting memory for what Easter means for Christians in America. He even got a mention in our Pastor's Easter Sermon. He has made the major news all week, and has been a big draw for discussions on FaceBook too. Even his artwork is flying off the walls, according to some dealers.

Thomas Kincade with "Prayer for Peace"
Courtesy of USA Today

But while it's exciting to wait for the latest news about Kincade, the week is still not about him and so I've posted my favorites Holy Week pictures, from personal experience but also what I've gleaned from the news around the world. I begin with the monumental happening in the Philippines, then Jerusalem, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and end up back here in NYC. The first image is from the Los Angeles Times, featuring self-taught artist Ronald Bautista worked on his version of the Passion of Christ for his neighborhood’s observance of Holy Week.

Self-taught artist Ronald Bautista works on his version of the Passion of Christ
Courtesy of Los Angeles Times

Good Friday events from around the world also delivered compelling images including my own city of Indianapolis with a re-enactment of the Way of the Cross through the streets of Indianapolis in a procession organized by the city's growing Latino population. It is sponsored by Saint Mary's Catholic Church with support from all the area churches.

Indianapolis Way of the Cross courtesy of Greg Disney

Next, I was intrigued by this image from Israel, where Christian Arab worshipers carry a large wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa as they enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Jerusalem — Christian Arabs carry a large wooden cross on Good Friday.
Courtesy of Los Angeles Times

There were also disturbing images I came across through my Twitter connections. The first makes a viscerally strong connection between the crucifixion of Christ and the lynching of Gay icon Mathew Shepard. Well done. The second by Tom Torluemke, well....I'm not sure what to make of it other than it's disturbing. Both were sent out on Good Friday.

"Matthew" (2011) by Leivur Reinert Djurhuus

"My Dad Mocking Christ" (2009) by Tom Torluemke,
acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24" via Facebook

But the reason for Holy Week is the Resurrection, and so my favorite is from Kai Daniels in Cincinnati, via his Dad in Indianapolis. It's Kai's first batch of Easter Eggs created on his own, a reminder of new birth but also for his Dad, a reminder of a small boy becoming a grown man. They look great, don't they?

Kai's Easter Eggs | First time coloring on own

I made this with help from Target

In closing, I'll return to Thomas Kinkade. I can't help but wonder if he is somehow happy, that if he "had to" die, how incredible it must be for a Christian icon to have died on Good Friday so that we would all have him on our minds again this Easter season? On Sunday in New York City, as my family sat in church, we included a prayer for the Painter of Light, but admittedly since it's NYC, the highlight of our day was actually the Easter Bonnet Parade along Fifth Ave (See photos below). What did you do for Easter 2012; and while telling us please also check out our Resurrection Week "Art Archives" since 2008.