Fifth Station

In Bruce Onabrakpeya’s Fifth Station, the biblical moment when Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross is reinterpreted with a cultural twist. True to his style, Onabrakpeya merges traditional African elements with the religious narrative, emphasizing the local and global significance of the story.

Simon of Cyrene, a key figure in this station, is portrayed in African attire, underscoring his cultural roots and aligning him with the African audience. His assistance to Jesus symbolizes the universal theme of compassion, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. In contrast, a guard in the scene is dressed in British colonial uniform, a recurring symbol in Onabrakpeya’s Stations of the Cross series. This juxtaposition between African and colonial imagery adds layers of meaning, suggesting themes of oppression, empathy, and shared suffering.

Onabrakpeya’s artistic choices not only highlight the historical moment but also invite reflection on the struggles faced by African societies under colonial rule, drawing parallels between the biblical narrative and the African experience. Through this artwork, he transforms a religious story into a broader commentary on humanity, sacrifice, and cultural identity.

This Fifth Station blends the sacred with the socio-political, showcasing Onabrakpeya’s unique ability to contextualize spiritual themes within African history and culture, making the piece relevant to contemporary audiences.