SALT and LIGHT

"Cross of Salt and Light," mixed media collage, 2019, by Troy's Work Table.

Layers = India ink on YUPO Translucent watercolor paper + pen and ink on bond paper + paper-cut bond paper.

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This piece of art is based upon Matthew 5:13-20, specifically verses 13 through 16.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

But I know that being salt and being light is not an easy call. In some sense it is a "cross to bear" (Matthew 16:24).

With all of that in mind, I wanted something simple and geometric. The molecular structure of sodium chloride (NaCl) peeks through a translucent cross that emanates light. The five wounds of Jesus when he is upon the cross "bleed" into the orange cross "figure" within the yellow cross: the three nail marks of both hands and feet, the crown of thorns upon his bloody head, and the spear wound in the side of his torso.

And while I am fond of symmetry, which is present, it is in a slightly askew, slanted way. The axis of symmetry of the salt structure is turned 45 degrees when compared to the axis of symmetry of the cross. For me, it's imperfect perfection, and that's enough!