"Contemporary ink" 2013

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this 36 x 25 cm artwork using ink. Note the dominance of the cross, a symbol laden with cultural and spiritual weight. It speaks to sacrifice, redemption, and a bridge between the earthly and divine. It reminds me of ancient Roman crucifixions as well as the more recent devastating wars in Europe. Yet, this symbol is hardly static. In earlier epochs, the cross was a cosmic symbol, its four arms representing the elements or the cardinal directions. This image is a reminder that the cross has evolved from ancient symbols to modern expressions of identity and belief. Consider how the cross as a meeting point evokes emotional responses: the pain and sorrow that are a part of our collective cultural memory. This interplay between form and feeling ensures the image continues to haunt, inspire, and challenge us. It is a motif that continues to resurface and morph across the annals of art history.