Stations of the Cross
Pilgrims in Jerusalem followed the route taken by Christ as he walked to Calvary. Wishing to reproduce the meditation on Christ's passion when they returned home, they set up a number of images showing each stage of Christ's journey. The practice of praying at each station in turn became popular and widespread at the end of the middle ages, though the number and subjects of the stations varied considerably until the beginning of the 19th century.
These Stations were painted by celebrated Australian artist, Lawrence Daws. Their relatively small scale gives them an intimacy which leads to personal contemplation. In planning the paintings, Daws undertook a meticulous study of the life and geography of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Each painting is carefully constructed to invite the viewer to step into the deep space created in the picture and to read there the meaning of the event. The gestures, the figures and the objects speak of suffering, redemption and triumph, of injustice and liberation, of conflict, love and compassion.