Note
Painted in response to a sermon on “Journeys,” Penning
designed a triptych with the three crosses of Calvary.
In the background is a desert with tents from Israel’s
wanderings in the wilderness.
The middle panel shows the cross of Christ made up of
a community of tents. Note the blood of Christ dripping
between them, down to the bottom of the canvas.
The overall pattern of the cross appears as a quilt,
pieced together in and for the community.
The panel on the right depicts the cross of one thief
in darkness The circles, like pitted olives, represent
the core of the person. Here it remains dark.
The panel on the left is a cross-draped in fabric pieces.
The other thief’s shame and sin covers him like billows
of dark clouds. Note at the top, the fabric is torn apart
to reveal light coming from a circle’s core.
Christ’s favor is bestowed on the thief.