Sixth Station

In Bruce Onabrakpeya’s Sixth Station, Veronica is depicted wiping the bloody face of Jesus as he carries his cross to Calvary. This moment of compassion, where Veronica steps forward to offer solace to Jesus, is portrayed with Onabrakpeya's distinctive fusion of cultural elements and religious symbolism.

Veronica is shown in African attire, much like the other figures in the series, tying the narrative to African identity and heritage. Her act of wiping Jesus' face not only reflects an intimate gesture of kindness but also highlights the strength and empathy of women in times of suffering. Jesus, battered and weary, is depicted in the midst of his arduous journey, his bloody face a poignant reminder of his sacrifice. The background is rich with symbolic shapes and patterns, subtly referencing both the crowd witnessing this moment and the historical significance of the event.

Onabrakpeya’s use of cultural dress and the colonial undertones seen in the guards serve to further ground the piece in a context that speaks to the African experience, layering the biblical story with deeper meanings of compassion, struggle, and perseverance. The Sixth Station continues his narrative approach, using the biblical story to reflect on universal themes of suffering and humanity, while infusing it with African cultural symbols.