St. Gabriel the Archangel, painted in acrylic on canvas measures approximately 14 feet in height and is part of a larger mural, Christ’s Eternal Sacrifice.
Commissioned by Fr. Chad King, Pastor, Christ’s Eternal Sacrifice to the Father & the Archangels involved a collaboration with the architecture firm, Phoenix Design Group and Forefront Development, LLC to modify already completed designs to accommodate the sacred artwork.
According to Fr. Chad’s vision, the artwork depicts the essential action of the Mass, Christ’s eternal self-offering into the hands of the Father, which inaugurates the New Creation and opens the gates of Heaven to all who believe. Christ crucified, (an actual 3-dimensional crucifix provided by F.C. Zielger's King's House), is set on the painted background, portraying it as the New Tree of Life.
Set in an artistic vision of the New Creation, glorified local plants of the Phoenix desert landscape are incorporated to show that even our local home will be caught up in God’s saving actions. The liturgical scene of Christ’s self-offering is attended by Archangels Michael and Gabriel and providentially watched over by a dramatic portrayal of God the Father, who holds all power, the whole cosmos, and perfect love.
St. Gabriel the Archangel, by Ruth Stricklin, © 2021 New Jerusalem Studios, LLC.
