Glacial Strata 1962

John Henry Rock's "Glacial Strata" presents us with a tumultuous landscape, rendered through stark, monochromatic marks. In it, we can see a figure and a cross, repeated motifs that resonate deeply within the human psyche. Consider the cross, here a stark symbol of sacrifice and redemption; it echoes through centuries, from early Christian art to its pervasive presence in modern iconography. The cross appears in Ancient Egypt as an ankh. It has been used for millennia to evoke both suffering and hope. Similarly, the human form struggles within the composition, almost engulfed. It reminds us of figures in classical tragedies, their gestures conveying raw emotion, primal fear, and existential angst. The psychological weight of these symbols is undeniable. They tap into a collective memory, resonating with primal human experiences. The chaotic energy of the artwork itself speaks to an underlying tension, a battle between destruction and creation, echoing the cyclical nature of history. Ultimately, "Glacial Strata" speaks to the timeless struggle of the human spirit, enduring through layers of time and experience.