“Holy day” 神聖日– 97x163cm- Oil on Canvas, 2008

Jesus / Santa Claus provides a conflicting character which both attracts and repels children. With themes of blood sacrifice, guilt and punishment, Christianity is a tough sell for kids. Wearing a Santa Claus hat and giving out candy canes, Jesus tries unsuccessfully to win them over. Based on many ‘Jesus with the children” paintings – which always show a glowing, happy Jesus and never the truth of his passion, this painting draws a more realistic first meeting.

耶穌/聖誕老人是一個衝突的人物角色，既把孩童吸引過來，又令他們感到恐懼。由於基督教的血祭、罪惡、懲罰的關係，這宗教並不討孩子喜歡。耶穌戴著聖誕老公公的帽子來發放拐杖糖，也無法贏得孩子們的心。許多「耶穌和孩童」的畫作通常都表現出耶穌喜悅、快樂的一面，卻從來沒提及耶穌受難的真實面。這幅畫表現出更接近真實的一面。

Oil on Canvas Surrealism Oil Painting by Derek Murphy www.derekmurphyart.com