This submission, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, serves as the entry point for a larger series of fourteen stations. This work moves away from literal representation to explore the internal, psychological landscape of Gethsemane. As a mixed-media photo-based collage, the piece is constructed through a process of digital and physical layering. By superimposing a stark, skeletal tree over a shadowed, watchful gaze, the composition mirrors the tension between isolation and divine presence. This technique allows the textures of the natural world and the human form to merge into a singular emotional state. The high-contrast light source serves as a focal point of clarity amidst a turbulent, atmospheric sky, representing the heavy emotional weight and the internal struggle of the moment. Through this abstract lens, the station invites the viewer to experience the garden not as a physical place, but as a universal state of human vulnerability and profound reflection.

The foundation of this project is the “Scriptural Way of the Cross,” a series of stations introduced by Pope John Paul II in 1991 that are rooted exclusively in the Gospel accounts. My creative process began with an engagement in these texts, specifically the verses detailing Jesus’ final hours—from the solitude of Gethsemane to the silence of the tomb.
To bridge the gap between ancient scripture and contemporary photography, I began each station by reading the associated Gospel verses and distilling the narrative into a single, resonant word. These words became the anchors for my visual compositions. I sought to explore the physical and spiritual manifestations of sacrifice, focusing on the human intersection of the narrative: the interplay between the betrayer and the betrayed, the loyal follower and the denier, the powerful judge and the condemned prisoner.
My medium—photography and mixed-media collage—allows me to utilize images of the found world, including negatives captured years before my own conversion. This "reverse inspiration" mirrors the universal relevance of the Passion; just as I found new life in old film, I believe modern viewers can find their own reflections in these flawed, genuine biblical figures. By focusing on the "Scriptural Way," the work invites viewers to move beyond mere artistic appreciation and into a direct confrontation with the Word. It challenges the twenty-first-century observer to recognize themselves in the actions of those who witnessed Christ’s sacrifice, ultimately honoring the protagonist of the story, Jesus Christ. Through this visual engagement, the stations serve as a vehicle for worship and contemplation, revealing that the themes of suffering, justice, and empathy remain as urgent today as they were in the first century.

This project was inspired by my wife, Linda Antonucci, who provided the initial spark for the series.

https://jantonucci.geogalleries.com/

For over a decade, this series was a permanent fixture within a local church, designed to transform the sanctuary into a path for meditation and spiritual journey. Following a change in leadership, the artwork has been removed and is currently seeking a new permanent home.
An additional reason for entering this contest is to find an institution—be it a church, community center, or other church affiliated organization—where these fourteen pieces can once again serve their purpose as a unified installation. I am looking to donate the entire series to an organization that values the intersection of faith and contemporary art, ensuring that these "Fourteen Stations" continue to provide a sanctuary for contemplative thought and community engagement. Each piece is 4ft. X 5.5ft. with an additional descriptive placard, and lights, as seen in supplemental images. The complete series of fourteen works maintains the same layered, mixed-media aesthetic found in Station 1, creating a seamless visual journey. Interested parties can email me at: jantonucciart@gmail.com.