Saj's "Indomitable Spirit" exhibit on view in New York (12/02/01)

Saj's "Indomitable Spirit" exhibit on view in New York

NEW YORK - "Indomitable Spirit: Paintings of Faith, Hope and Remembrance" by Christina Saj will be on view at the Interchurch Center in the Corridor and Treasure Room Galleries for the month of December. These works celebrate the enduring spiritual values of our civilization and are particularly appropriate for the 2001 holiday season following the tragedy of September 11.

The exhibit will be on view December 3-31 at the Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive at 120th Street; an opening reception will be held on December 5 at 4-7 p.m. in the Riverside Lobby.

Ms. Saj's exhibition consists of modern icons depicting the myths and symbols that have shaped our civilization, both religious and secular, throughout the passage of time and history. There is nothing ponderous or portentous about these works. The paintings shimmer with color, light and vibrating rhythms. The luminous colors are often accented with gold leaf and incandescent hues against dark shadows. Her use of x-ray images reveals the infrastructure of her figures, making them transparent. Grids, dots and computer parts bring them into the 21st century.

Images such as "Annunciation," "Oranta," "Three Magi," "Baptism of Christ" and "Descent into Limbo" depict traditional scenarios from the scriptures, while works such as "Memento Mori," "Dark Angel," "Safe Harbor" and "Saints and Sinners" are the artist's interpretation of universal spiritual themes.

Ms. Saj has dedicated this exhibit to the indomitable spirit of the citizens of New York who displayed great courage, resilience and generosity in dealing with the terrorist attacks on September 11.

In the words of the artist, "The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11 - shocking as it was to the nation's consciousness - has made us keenly aware of the gift of life and rekindled our need for belief in the myths and value systems which shaped our civilization. All at once, we hear without embarrassment the words good, evil, justice, hope, love, courage and patriotism."

"By depicting ancient symbols in the vernacular of our time," Ms. Saj explained "I hope to engage the viewers and give them pause to contemplate the values that have shaped their spiritual imagination. Also, I want to appeal to their sense of color and rhythm, and encourage them to decorate the inner spaces of their minds with vivid images of heroes and martyrs, shepherds and angels, saints and sinners ... in short, to look through my icons and into their souls."

Ms. Saj's works have been widely exhibited throughout the United States and Canada. Ms. Saj holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Milton Avery Graduate School for the Arts at Bard College (1992) and a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College. She has studied in Florence, Italy, and at Wadham College, Oxford University in England. Ms. Saj currently lives and works in New Jersey.

The galleries are open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. weekdays or by appointment. For an appointment please call (973) 964-5310. Admission is free.

The work of Ms. Saj may be viewed by visiting the website http://www.artonline.net.

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