040

This painting by the playwright-dramatist-poet-artist is unusual in two ways. Firstly, the signature ‘JOHN L’ is not commonly seen in his works, although the artist is known to have signed in 11 other different ways. Secondly, the Christian persuasion in this early work, at a time when he was known to be more enthusiastic in exploring secular and even provocative themes in art and theatre. To this, the now 82-year-old artist elaborated in an e-mail response, “There are three spiritual periods in my life: an early one from 1950s to 1960s, [when I was] full of fervour after my conversion from Buddhism to the Catholic faith; then came a lapse of [my] faith from 1960s to 1970s in London and in Malaysia; and finally, a happy one, when I was born again in Jesus through a miracle, from 1970s until today.”

This work was done in 1960s for the St Xavier’s Institution, where the artist once taught Art. Here, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is laid horizontally – looming largely over a meadow and modern-day houses – symbolising how Christ had ‘fallen’ and laid down His life to save mankind. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the central focus of the Christian faith.

Though undated, this work was probably completed before the artist entered into a period of doubt and intense spiritual searching (‘lapse of faith’ as he professed earlier) during his London days, as evidenced in his 1963 etching-on-paper work Man’s State where the spitting words: Hate, Lonely, Love, Fear were accompanied by his burning question of “God, where are you!”. Lee Joo For’s art and theatre works have continued to serve as a vivid record of his spiritual journey, as the artist’s later works (after his miraculous born-again experience) saw him revisiting Christian themes, an indication that he has once again found joy and peace in his renewed faith.