Hopes and Fears
oil on canvas
24" x 32"
By February 2002 shockwaves from the September 11th attack had begun to loosen the moorings of political stability throughout the world. The Middle East was becoming a war zone and there were outcries of racial hatred and religious intolerance in our own country. The Christmas season had come and gone but a line from one of the Christmas hymns, "O little town of Bethlehem," stuck in my mind.
We had
truly entered a time filled with both Hope and Fear.
Borrowing freely from ancient Christian icons of "Holy Warriors", the painting depicts an old woman holding a sword, gazing into a lit candle. The icon begs questions that are appropriate for all Christians, Jews and Muslims in this age. Will she use the sword? Is the small light enough to keep her from rising up in violence?
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