Salvatorem Colore

“Salvatorem Colore” by Chris D. (Canvas 900 x 700) 

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Salvatorem Colore (The Saviour in Colour) is a painting by Aboriginal-Australian artist Chris.D, produced in 2021. It is painted on frame mounted canvas and measures 900mm x 700mm.

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The painting depicts Jesus in the form of an Indigenous Australian, making the ‘sign of the cross’ with his right hand, while holding a transparent, non refracting crystal orb in his left, signalling his role as Saviour of the World and representing the 'celestial sphere' of the heavens.

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It also depicts Aboriginal Scarification, which is as a language inscribed on the body, where each deliberately placed scar tells a story of pain, endurance, identity, status, beauty, courage, sorrow or grief.

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The painting gains its influence and design elements from a ‘Salvator Mundi’ painting that has been attributed in whole or in part to the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci.

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The “frame”, which may sometimes appear to be a separate piece, is actually an extension of the primary image on the same canvas and thus is included in the painting dimensions. The ‘frame’ includes Aboriginal artistic graphics, such as creator spirits, animals, organic matter and lines, and Aboriginal hunting tools.

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The painting asserts that Jesus can appear any relevant form.