Easter, 1985

Printmaking, serigraph on paper, artist proof 3/5, 17 x 13.5 in (43.2 x 34.3 cm)

Easter presents the singular face of Christ in two perspectives: The left half is printed in red, with tears streaming down his face and a black wreath of long, sharp thorns crowning his head. Here, his open mouth seems to sigh or cry out in pain, or even dereliction. The right half of the face, printed in black, shows no indications of suffering, and the hair is subtly rendered with greater dynamism. Here, the same open mouth expresses lively energy. Despite its double aspect, this Holy Face is nevertheless powerfully one, addressing the viewer with a singular unbroken gaze and ultimately a singular word that contains both an abyss of suffering and a fullness of life. In his descriptions of this work, Vickers emphasizes seeing and hearing the oneness of this face: "The basic thought behind this creation was that if we identify with Christ in his crucifixion and death, we also acknowledge his resurrection and everlasting life" (cf. Rom 6:4-11).