Ascension
16 x 20
Oil on Canvas
by. S. Moar
Ascension
16 x 20
Oil on Canvas
by. S. Moar
| In June of 1995, Jesus Christ Superstar came to the Imperial Theatre
in Saint John, New Brunswick. We went out for supper with our relatives
before the show, and I had photos of my artwork and a card to take to the
theatre with us. It was quite a surprise to realize that Ted was seated
at the table next to ours, and it was very exciting to share the photos
of my artwork with him.
Once we were at the theatre, I was filled with anticipation as we waited for the show to begin. When the lights went out, an age-old story unfolded. Everyone knows this story of Jesus. He died on the cross for us. On stage, there was a long, drawn-out crucifixion scene. The actor Ted Neeley took his last breath as Jesus, commended his spirit into God's hands and slowly rose upward from the cross, soldiers dropping on the stage in shock, Ted's expression awe-struck and his hands held high in the air as Jesus went to meet his maker. This ending was different from the movie version of JCS, and it was a scene that I found very inspiring. A few weeks after seeing the show, I began working on The Ascension, and wanted the viewer to see Jesus from above, as he ascended, and left all the pain and turmoil below him. I incorporated familiar scenes from the movie into it, and this painting was one of Ted's favourites when he viewed them at the Capitol Theare in Moncton. S. Moar |
