During the act of making art, Mario Alberico explores his faith while capturing the essence of trees and crosses as metaphors for his life as a cancer survivor. He believes that the aesthetic experience must engage the viewer in a dialogue that leads from an initial aesthetic response to a deeper understanding of the power of art to heal one's suffering and ultimately celebrate the gifts and beauties of life.
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Reflections on the Stations of the Cross
The artworks below were made by carving a block of pine, placing a sheet of heavy drawing paper over the block, and then rubbing the paper with different pencils, graphite, chalk, and conte. Going through the process produced a meditative state that allowed the artist to go deeper inside himself and reflect inwardly, within the silence of his studio, about the suffering of his God on the way to Golgotha. Using dark colors and pressing heavily on the wood block enaged Mario Alberico in an experience of spiritually dealing with his own physical suffering. There was no expectation to achieve a peaceful or tranquil state. No. He used art to help battle the physical pain he experiences every day of his life. He simply meant to "be" even in a moment of pain. Camus was right about the Myth of Sisyphus. The glory is in the struggle.
