“We must remember that all stations are as much about life as they are obviously about death. All is redeemed. All is grist for transformation and glory.”
Bran orchestrated this captivating scene, employing models and Caravaggio-inspired lighting techniques to bring to life the poignant moment of Jesus bearing his cross while Mary tenderly attempts to offer food. Transforming this timeless event through the lens of contemporary vices, he crafted the provocative piece titled ‘Phat Jesus’. However, despite its artistic merit, the work faced censorship from Transport for London, preventing its public promotion in the London Underground.
The ‘Stations of the Cross’ group exhibition was curated by Ben Moore and took place at the Marylebone Parish Church in London, during Easter in 2014.
This exhibit brings together 20 artists who delved deeply into the theme of the Passion of Christ, each artist offered a unique interpretation through their work. While the majority of pieces found additional visibility on billboard spaces across prominent London Underground Stations, one controversial work by Bran titled ‘Phat Jesus’ sparked outcry and was ultimately removed from display following complaints of indecency.
CRUCIFIXION PERFORMANCE ART
On Sunday 2nd March, 2014 at midday artist and curator of The Stations of the Cross Exhibition Ben Moore carried an 8-foot-tall wooden cross 8 miles from Barons Court across Hyde Park to St.Marylebone parish Church where it will be installed for the exhibition. The performance titled ‘Crossing Over’ was filmed and presented as a piece of video art in the ‘Stations of the Cross’ exhibition which was exhibited for 40 days.
St Marylebone Parish Church is an Anglican church on the Marylebone Road in London. The locale of Marylebone historically took its name from that of the Church, which is dedicated to St Mary. The present site is the third used by the parish for its church and was built to the designs of Thomas Hardwick in 1813-17. The original church was built on the bank of a small stream or “bourne”, called the Tybourne, a name which for many centuries was synonymous with capital punishment. The church and the surrounding area later became known as St Mary at the Bourne, which over time became shortened to its present form, Marylebone.
Artists Involved:
The exhibition features the following artists: Johan Andersson, Harry Cardross, Ricardo Cinalli, Chris Clack, Mat Collishaw, Hugo Dalton, Zavier Ellis, Nancy Fouts, Paul Fryer, Alex Gene Morrison, Sebastian Horsley, Alison Jackson, Wolfe Lenkiewicz, Mc Llamas, Antony Micallef, Ben Moore, Polly Morgan, Gavin Nolan, Viktor Schroeder, Bran Symondson, and James Vaulkhard.