The Crossroads
This incredible Bas Relief depicts the moment when Christ is lifted from the cross by the archangel Michael. His final tear is still on his face.
Click here to read the news article on “The Crossroads”.
The Crossroads - Signature Piece = $85,000
Height = 60 ”
Width = 56.5 ”
Depth = 1.25 ”
Weight = 420 lbs
Reproduction - Framed = $12,500
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Prices do not include shipping and handling.
Story behind the Crossroads:
As a young boy my family moved to a small town in Central Vermont, we were the first Jewish family in that area. The time and the size of the town were reflected the anti-Semitic attitude that resulted in fights and verbal persecution throughout my high school years. That experience planted a grain of sand in my soul; much like an oyster feels the discomfort of a grain of sand in his shell.
I felt the pain and sting of prejudice and anti-Semitism which taught me not to personally practice that in my life. In processing this experience through the years, combined with watching the state of current events, “the Crossroads” is “the pearl that is being created as a result.
My belief is that Christianity is based in Judaic foundations. Jesus was a Rabbi, yet Christians have embraced his message as their own. The Jewish and Christian beliefs are merging in a way never seen before; they used to be individually defined. This point in history reflects a turning point.
The holocaust changed everything for the practicing Jew. Over 6 million Jews were lost in concentration camps; persecuted fore their bloodline not their beliefs. Judaism became a culture as opposed to a religion. It resulted in the state of Israel, with a religious group that left Jerusalem as immigrants returning to their homeland as a warring army.
In retrospect, both Christians and Jews have begun rethinking their beliefs and practices. The Torah speaks to the future and Christianity speaks to the future; neither can afford to be stagnant. Both are looking for what is next in the growth of their religions, and despite the resistance to it, the two are slowly morphing together with common believers. As a Jewish descendant with a strong belief in God, I am personally watching this process and assessing the impact on the world around me.
“The Crossroads” is a two-dimensional bas relief, 4ft by 4ft, hand carved in Carrera Marble.
Press Release - The Crossroads:
M. Julian Isaacson is a classically trained sculptor of Osage Indian and Jewish descent. He began studying his father’s sculptural work at a very young age, and initially worked solely in hardwood sculpture using only hand tools. After relocating to the West Coast from Vermont in 1986, Isaacson expanded his sculptural repertoire to include marble.
Sculptor Julian will unveil a signature piece on First Friday, June 1, 2007 at Illahe Design Studio & Gallery, 500 A Street, Suite 3 in Ashland. “The Crossroads” is a remarkable two-dimensional bas-relief, 4ft by 4ft by 1 ¼’ in depth, hand carved with hammer and chisel in Carrera Marble. The artist applies a form of direct carving, drawing the “cartoon” directly on the stone, and begins the “cutting in” of the piece once he feels the drawing is ready.
The artist tells the story that as a young boy his family moved to a small town in Central Vermont; they were the first Jewish family in that area. The times and the size of the town were reflected in an anti-Semitic attitude that resulted in verbal and physical persecution throughout his high school years that left a lasting impression on him.
“That experience planted a grain of sand in my soul; much like an oyster feels the discomfort of a grain of sand in his shell.”
“I felt the pain and sting of prejudice and anti-Semitism which taught me not to personally practice that in my life. In processing this experience through the years, combined with watching the state of current events, “The Crossroads” is “the pearl that is being created as a result.”
“My belief is that Christianity is based in Judaic foundations. Jesus was a Rabbi, yet Christians have embraced his message as their own. The Jewish and Christian beliefs are merging in a way never seen before; they used to be individually defined. This point in history reflects a turning point.”
“The holocaust changed everything for the practicing Jew. Over 6 million Jews were lost in concentration camps; persecuted for their bloodline not their beliefs. Judaism became a culture as opposed to a religion. It resulted in the state of Israel, with a religious group that left Jerusalem as immigrants returning to their homeland as a warring army.”
“In retrospect, both Christians and Jews have begun rethinking their beliefs and practices. The Torah speaks to the future and Christianity speaks to the future; neither can afford to be stagnant. Both are looking for what is next in the growth of their religions, and despite the resistance to it, the two are slowly morphing together with common beliefs. As a Jewish descendant with a strong belief in God, I am personally watching this process and assessing the impact on the world around me.”
Venture out on First Friday, June 1, 2007 in Ashland, and stop by Illahe Design Studio and Gallery for a special evening and enjoy a brief personal introduction of the piece by the artist at 6:00 p.m.