Gozitan artists Michael and Adonai Camilleri Cauchi recently created a work of art carved in mahogany wood, representing the Risen Christ.

The statue was commissioned in July 2015, after approval by Archbishop Charles Scicluna. In the meantime, parish priest Fr Gordon Refalo, together with a team of  volunteers, worked on the details and matters which a new artistic project brings with it.

A bozzetto for the new statue was presented during the following year and was immediately approved, given that it respected the artistic ambience and idiom of the church where it was to be displayed.

Preparatory works were initiated, with the collection of mahogany ‘utile’ timber that was found dry and good enough for carving. The carving process intensified in the late 2017. Details of the figure started to become more evident, with particular attention given to the human anatomy and posture. Other details, such as the wounds of Christ and the facial expression of the statue, are truly fascinating.

Like any other artistic interpretation of the subject matter, the artists’ expression and idiom are very evident in this work of art, with the intention to portray a robust and indisputable image of the Risen Christ, with plenty of glory and mercy emitted from the raffiguration itself.

This artistic work was officially inaugurated on March 31 by the parish priest Can. Michael Zammit, in the presence of artists Camilleri Cauchi and the Ciappara family, who donated the statue, and the village community.