Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith
Victory Over Death

Visually bolder than anything McCahon had produced before, Victory over death 2 1970 opposes a questioning and doubt-filled 'AM I' with a bold and assertive 'I AM'. With the former phrase painted black on black it is only in the physical presence of the painting that the viewer becomes aware of the full power of its questioning darkness.

'... [Victory over death 2 1970] also belongs to the Practical Religion series; a simple I AM at first. But not so simple as doubts enter here too. I believe, but don't believe. 'Let be, let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him' 1959. Yet despite the initial darkness and despair, a positive tone emerges; a victory over death does seem possible. In 1978 the painting was given by the New Zealand government to Australia in commemoration of that country's bicentenary.

 

A Question of Faith

Coinciding with his work on Victory over Death 2, McCahon produced a group of paintings which, whilst not on the scale of the Practical Religion series or Victory over Death 2 1970, were nevertheless significant achievements. Three of these images repeat texts which appear in the two larger works – Are there not twelve hours of daylight 1970, A question of faith 1970 and A grain of wheat 1970. The fourth, entitled This day a man is, 1970, employs a text by Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471). Taken from The Imitation of Christ, the text emphasises the need to live life with piousness and humility, while at all times remaining prepared for death. They represent a vision of what might be meant by life and death, salvation and resurrection, plus the overriding factors of doubt and the definition of what constitutes faith.

McCahon's position is not quite what it might seem to be. 'I could never call myself a Christian' he has stated. The doubts that assail so many individuals constantly assail him too and finally led him to consider the nature of faith. To this end he turned to the exposition on faith found in the Letter of James and A Letter to Hebrews.

 

Upper image:

Colin McCAHON
New Zealander 1919–87
A question of faith 1970
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
208.0 x 261.5 cm
Private collection, California, United States of America
Reproduced with the permission of the Colin McCahon Research and Publication Trust

 

Lower image:

Colin McCAHON
New Zealander 1919–87
Victory over death 2 1970
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
207.5 x 597.7 cm
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia
Gift of the New Zealand Government, 1978
Reproduced with the permission of the Colin McCahon Research and Publication Trust