This is a glass mosaic I did for my Music and Arts in Worship class.

The following is the text I handed in to help understand the mosaic:

I chose this portion of Scripture because it is so visual in its depiction of the events and the tension described is palpable throughout. I chose to use the medium of glass because I have yet to do anything like this and I was intrigued with the potential textures and colors as well as the additional dimension of transparency and opaqueness that glass allows.

As you examine the picture, notice several things. In the background, you will see a tree (more visible when lit from behind) showing the nature of the garden with explicit reference to the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. You will also notice the torches in the background that, when lit from behind, appear more visible, displaying transparent orange flames. These torches represent the soldiers brought by Judas to arrest Jesus.

In the foreground there are two distinct figures. The one on the right is Judas, the betrayer, in the act of his betrayal, kissing Jesus on the check. Judas’ profile demonstrates an intentional action and he leans into kiss Jesus, recognizing and reminding the viewer of this deliberate act. Jesus is the other figure, shown in contrast to Judas (presented on the left). He is cloaked in white and his eyes are deliberately portrayed as disappointed and betrayed, identifying Jesus’ emotion and abandonment from his friend and disciple. If you look closely, you will notice that both Jesus and Judas’ eyes are completely transparent and when lit from behind, draws your attention to the human drama of the scene.

This is the first time I have attempted a piece of art of this nature and medium and it was challenging to get started. I wanted to visually depict the human drama of the betrayal and went through several different ideas and concepts and came up with this finished project. It is not exactly as I had originally imagined, but that is the case with all art as reality collides with vision and the resulting piece emerges. I found it particularly helpful and insightful in my reflection on the human interaction of Jesus and Judas.