Illumination

By Marcin Biesek

Artist Statement

My painting shows the group of the Refugees crossing the wire fence which are inspired by the media pictures.In the scene of the struggling people I placed Mary and Jesus inspired by Pietà Giovanni Bellini . This artwork is dedicated to all suffering Refugees. In 2017, BBC News was showing on TV many traumatic scenes from Aleppo . I was shocked seeing those war scenes mixed with western advertisements. I didn’t know that there was already not peace since 2012. The whole world is witnessing a conflict in Ukraine right now.

As a Christian, father and husband I am aware of the bigger problems behind the conflict. This painting is my reflection of suffering Jesus Christ and my personal experience of seeing passion in the scene of crossing a wire fence crowd . We are called to offer hospitality and charity like a Good Samaritan towards the vulnerable people and communities. This painting was also my personal reflection of suffering, traveling across the borders, meeting different people, cultures, religious leaders but also my personal statement about fatherhood, motherhood, family and contemporary social issue. ​

All characters supposed to create dynamic atmosphere in the painted landscape of our present world.

It happened that artwork was finished during the Covid-19 lockdown in Singapore. We are facing another conflict which already brought more social interruptions in our society according to the Polish sociologist and philosopher Zygmunt Bauman. ​

Pictures of sufferings refugee recalled an image of Jesus and Mary in the very dramatic scene of Descanting from the Cross.

About the Artist

Marcin Biesek is an aspiring artist who has lived in the United Kingdom and Singapore. Originally born in Gdansk, Poland. He lives with his family and enjoys long hikes, coffee, food and baking sourdough bread.