Stations of the Cross

From Victoria Emily Jones and Art and Theology: Two years ago I developed a Stations of the Cross tour through the Smithsonian American Art Museum (@americanart), in which I engraft the story of Christ’s passion into other stories of human suffering. That’s not to diminish the uniqueness of the God-man’s death, which brought about the salvation of the world, but to create a framework for bearing witness to those who find themselves on their own Via Dolorosas. Migrant workers, soldiers, prisoners, victims of racial discrimination and violence, the poor and the homeless, the grieving, and the mentally ill are among the many people you will meet in this selection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works in DC. You will also, I hope, meet Christ, who stands beside all those who suffer.

While I designed this to be taken in person at the SAAM on the National Mall, so as to better engage with the art, I also presented it in such a way that it can be enjoyed at home. Now that museums are closed, I’d encourage you to take the virtual tour, which you can find on the “SAAM Stations” tab on the homepage of my website (link in bio). The tour begins with a turn-of-the-century religious painting by African American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner, and it ends with a contemporary abstract work in gold and red by Pat Steir. Audio commentary is provided for each artwork.
https://artandtheology.org/2018/02/11/saamstations/

Via Dolorosos ------Way of Grief