Alison Batley Stone, “The New Creation,” collagraph and intaglio print

“The New Creation,” a collagraph and intaglio print, is a meditation on the whole of salvation history, which we are called to reflect upon at Easter. The six days of creation are illustrated in a womb like structure surrounding the central figures. In the Genesis narrative, the Tree of Life was placed in the center of the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve had open access to this vital fruit. Instead, they chose to partake of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, bringing about their expulsion and death. Man and woman became trapped within this spoiled produce, losing their communion with God, themselves, each other, and all of creation.

In this New Creation, God, Himself, comes to us as the Tree of Life to meet man and woman and to free them from the bondage of sin. Mounted on the cross, Christ’s roots delve into the soil from which Adam and Eve had been taken, offering a connection back to the source of life.

Through the Incarnation, Jesus’ trunk like body takes on humanity. The wood of the cross is the structure that brings about our redemption. From His pierced heart, the veil is torn in two, as the blood of salvation and the water of rebirth gush forth, giving birth to the Church. The streaming contours flowing from the right side of his body form a chalice surrounding his figure.

Through His passion, death, and resurrection, the fruit of the Tree of Life is offered to all in the Eucharist. His arm like branches extend in an open invitation to humanity, “Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you.”

Illuminated by the host like moon, Christ consummates the wedding feast and invites all to the banquet of eternal life. The bride, reflecting the light of the Son, is like Mary, the New Eve. Through her “fiat” she perpetually intercedes for her wounded children encouraging them to receive the bread of life. Through this fruit of everlasting life, all are called to set eyes on the Resurrected Christ and to live a transfigured life. The Resurrected Savior, at the top and center of the piece, points us to our eternal destination: union with God in love through the Eternal Son.

This “New Creation” Collagraph and Intaglio print was inspired by St. John Paul the Great’s call to the New Evangelization to make contemporary epiphanies of beauty that inspire the contemplation of our faith.