Conversion: St. Paul
on the Road to Damascus
Based on the Biblical account of Acts chapter nine, this three-figure
composition recreates the moment at which Saul of Tarsus is confronted
by a vision of the risen Christ. Saul and his two traveling
companions have made the journey from Jerusalem to Damascus, intent on
capturing and bringing to justice the followers of the crucified Jesus
of Nazareth, whom they believe to be guilty of blasphemy.
My purpose for creating this piece is
two-fold. First, I want to bring this dramatic historical
narrative to life, in hope that my viewers will be able to experience
it as more than a story written two thousand years ago. Second, I
want to use this story to illustrate the universal experience of all
believers, when we came to realize the change of direction that
encountering the Truth demands. Saul believed that through his
persecution of the disciples of Jesus he was protecting the sacred
revelation of God, but he failed to recognize that this Jesus,
God’s Son, was the completion of God’s revelation. Thus,
when he encountered this vision he was confronted not only by the
realization that Jesus had risen from the dead, but also that, though
he thought himself to be protecting the Truth from heresy, he was
in fact persecuting the Messiah, the Son of God. Saul has been
brought to his knees, but he does not cower there or turn to run as
those who do not understand. Instead he responds in obedience to
the words of Christ. He is blinded, yet the Truth is revealed to
him.
Conversion: St. Paul on
the Road to Damascus
1/3 Lifesize