Dr. Olga Sobkovych Curatorial Statement
Thank you to everyone who has made this exhibition possible. And thank you especially to Payman Doddress, my ESL teacher here at the church. He is the editor of everything written, even this speech! So, any mistake I make in English is his fault!
As I stand here thanking everyone who’s done their bit, I remember it all started with thanksgiving, too! My first time being here was at TEMC’s Thanksgiving meal. I remember we were quite undecided whether to go or not. Olha, my friend and also one of the artists contributing to this exhibition, said, “It’s all your call, Olga.” And now I am glad that I made the right call. Later, we’ll see how significant it is to make the right decision. Thank you, Olha, for leading me here and being with me every step of the way.
And thank you TEMC for being such an amazing host.
Now, let’s see why we are here today at the opening of The Passion of Christ in Times of Adversity. We are here to commemorate Christ’s Passion, yes: a timeless narrative of pain and redemption, echoing through the ages. It's a testament to the power of God's love, woven into the fabric of human experience.
In 2024, I presented the similar theme in Germany in a museum. There was a great turn-out. But a museum audience evaluates a show like this differently. Here in church, the whole dynamism and ambiance involve people in what actually happened to our Lord Jesus at the time. Sure, we still enjoy the artistic aspect of it, but I urge you not to lose sight of the real Creator of the event.
Today, artists from Ukraine, Canada, and Germany breathe a new life into this ancient story. Actually, the Passion of Christ is like embers in the ashes that burst into flame whenever evil stirs. Whenever there’s a struggle between good and evil, it is rekindled all over again.
It's precisely in such moments that the story of Christ's Passion finds its resonance. It tells us that even in the darkest moments, God's presence is so near and clear that you feel redemption within reach.
The artists in this exhibition, grappling with their own contexts, invite us to join the journey of empathy and solidarity. They show us that the cross is a symbol of God's unwavering love, piercing the shadows of war, injustice, and pain.
In Gethsemane, we witness the ultimate decision: obedience to God's will, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Jesus surrenders – "Not my will, but yours be done."
It is important to make a decision: to be on God’s side or evil’s side.
May this exhibition spark a journey of reflection, empathy, and understanding. May it draw us closer to the heart of the One who created and curated this story of love and redemption; the one who invites us to surrender to His will, even in the darkest of times.
Slava Ukraini!
