Spiked
Medium: Mesquite Wood Cross and Base, 1800’s English Bible, Ancient Roman Crucifixion Spike and Nails, Nepalese Paper, Waxed Linen Thread, Ethiopian Coptic Stitching
Artist Statement: This Roman era iron spike and nails, mounted on a mesquite wood cross, are indistinguishable from those used in Judea at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, and are a stark reminder of Jesus’ suffering and redemptive death. The dictionary definition of spiked is “to impale, pierce, or injure with a spike.” These words fit well the Bible’s description of Jesus’ crucifixion. Although the Romans did not invent crucifixion, they perfected it as a form of torture and capital punishment that was designed to produce a slow death with maximum pain and suffering. It was one of the most disgraceful and cruel methods of execution and usually was reserved only for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and the vilest of criminals.
