Third Station

In Bruce Onabrakpeya’s Third Station, the artist continues his innovative reinterpretation of the Stations of the Cross by depicting Jesus in the moment of his first fall while carrying the cross. This is a scene filled with both physical and emotional weight, as Jesus, burdened by the cross, stumbles to the ground.

Onabrakpeya adds his signature cultural twist by incorporating a guard dressed in a British colonial uniform, symbolizing the oppressive force compelling Jesus to rise and continue his journey. The guard’s presence not only represents the Roman soldiers of the biblical narrative but also serves as a metaphor for colonialism, reflecting the external powers that oppressed indigenous people. The juxtaposition of the colonial attire with the Africanized depiction of Jesus adds a layer of cultural and historical commentary, emphasizing the shared themes of suffering, endurance, and resilience.

The visual portrayal of Jesus on the ground, struggling with his cross, invites viewers to contemplate the universal experience of hardship, while the figure of the guard reinforces the historical and political context that Onabrakpeya often infuses into his work. This piece, like the others in the series, transcends religious storytelling, connecting the themes of the Passion with broader human experiences of suffering under oppressive systems.