About The Sculpture
Artists Interpretive View
St Peter – a man of contradictions
St Peter had a great faith and at times was plagued by self-doubt and uncertainty. He was strong willed and courageous in the pursuit of his beliefs, but also vulnerable and weak – as with his denial of Christ. Although flawed and a sinner, he was chosen first by Jesus and others looked up to him. It is thus fitting that this bronze statue has a sense of ambiguity about it.
St Peter is kneeling in water on a rock (Petrus, his namesake) reaching out. Is he reaching for Jesus for help as he momentarily loses his faith and sinks into the waters, or is he welcoming those coming through the College gates, beckoning them to join him? Are they joining him in his journey of faith and following in his footsteps – or are the entering heaven?
His strength of character is represented by the strength of his physique seen through his clothing. Strong winds represent the difficulties he faced in his journey – but never giving in, he continued to carry on. The cape-like stainless steel fisherman’s net is detached, having been ripped from him taking fragments of his clothing with it. He has severed ties with his life as a fisherman to join Jesus and become a fisher of people. He clutches the symbolic keys to the Kingdom of Heaven in his left hand.
There is a cross incorporated in the net falling away from St Peter’s shoulders. Is it the right way up or is it an inverted (Petrine) cross such as that upon which he was crucified? It could be either – depending on which way you are going, which path you are taking.
About the Artist
Jenny has worked as a muralist for both the private and public sectors for four years and has completed a post graduate course in International Public Art at RMIT. Currently her main focus is in the area of Public Art with over 20 works in Australia and overseas including murals, cenotaphs, sculpture and memorials. She uses a variety of media including paint, mosaic, metal and glass.
In her capacity as ‘artist’ her projects are long lasting works that ‘tell a story’ while standing the test of time. The narrative is extremely important in Jenny’s work.