Copyright © David G. Wilson
Wood cutout, wire," 2003; Collection of the artist.
Warning
This sculpture and text are published via this medium only for the intellectual edification of the general public . No unauthorized commercial use is allowed without expressed written permission.
The Greek word for "Fish", that the early Christians used to refer to Christ was ICHTHUS , an acronym that spelled out " Jesus Christ, son of God, Savior".The 'I' is the Greek equivalent for 'J'(for "Jesus"), 'Ch' stands for " Christ," 'TH' for "theou" (Greek for God) 'U' for "(h)uios" (Greek for "son"), S for "Soter" (Greek for "Savior"). The Greek rendering is, “Iesous Christos, Theou Uios, Soter”. In those days, because of the persistent persecution by the Romans, to avoid persecution, they used a secret code to identify themselves. Christians today still use the symbol of the "Fish" to identify themselves.
You may sometimes see cars with the sign of the "Fish", identifying its owner as a christian.
The concept of the incarnation of Christ(God) is a form of anthropomorphism. Hence, in this sculpture one sees the image of the "Fish"(Christ: God) transformed into man. God(Christ) in human form is an anthropomorphism and our sins caused him to suffer the indignity of "death", at the hand of man.
The base of the sculpture is a brick.
(Brick = Stone = Rock = Petros(latin) = Pierre(French)= Peter(English)
Christ upon the rock (The Church): Peter, the fisherman)
(The Fish, caught on a line = crucifixion = Sacrifice of Christ = Salvation)