Nicky Leigh

DEPRESSION – Through the Fire

Parabola - Depression resurrection Oil on canvas 105 x 130cm

About the Parabola

This painting was born out from drawings of foetal figures that represent despair and the yearning to retreat from life. Pain curled up on itself. The adult is birthed into depression – vulnerable, cold and emotionally crippled. Slowly the position moves to one of being seated upright but with head on knees hidden between the arms. The man starts to awaken and looks upwards away from himself. At this point the black solid shadow opens to bring in a circle of light. He begins to transcend his imprisonment in mental torment and internal transformation lifts him beyond despair towards enlightenment and resurrection.

After hearing Franciscan priest Richard Rohr on St.Pauls Parabola of transformation I realized a parallel with this painting I had completed a month or so before. Rohr talks about the inbuilt cycle of birth, death and life. In Romans 8:21 we groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free. The parabola (a curve going down and up) becomes a symbol for a redemptive pattern from a body of humiliation to a body of glory. This is the journey of transformation that Christ experienced. In the beginning – birth. Lowest point – crucifixion, humiliation, powerlessness, emptiness. The lowest point is the beginning of the highest point. Highest point – Enlightenment and resurrection .

Through the body of naked humiliation, shame, embarrassment and failure you find what is real.