Artist Jimilu Mason Owner The Christ House | Year 1986 (1986) Location Washington, D.C. Created 1986 | |
Dimensions 332.90 cm (131.064 in); 154.8 cm diameter (60.96 in) | ||
The Servant Christ is a public artwork by American artist Jimilu Mason, located at Christ House, 1717 Columbia Road, NW in Washington, D.C., United States. The Servant Christ was originally surveyed as part of the Smithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture! survey in 1994.
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Description
This bronze sculpture shows a contemporary depiction of Jesus Christ, wearing a sweatshirt, pants and no shoes. He kneels down and his hands hover over a bowl installed in the base of the sculpture. He has a beard and mustache and looks upwards to the sky. The sculpture is a working fountain with water flowing up from the bowl and into the figure's proper left hand.
A plaque nearby is inscribed with:
Jimilu (American)THE SERVANT OF CHRISTMEEKLY I FIT MY STATUE TO YOUR NEEDTILL BY SNECHART (sic) I SHALL ACHIEVE MYMORIAL (sic) PLAN.TO PASS THE LOW INITIAL OF THE HUMANHEART.FROM IMMANANCE (sic) BYEVALYN UNDERHILLInformation
The sculpture is installed on the sidewalk in front of Christ House, a medical facility for homeless men. The statue represents Christ offering to wash the feet of the people of the Adams Morgan neighborhood where the sculpture is located. The sculpture faces towards the building at a relief on the wall and under the window of a sun-room. According to the artist, "the men in the sunroom window become a living part of the men and women and children in the Frieze, which represents the richness of the cultural diversity in Adams Morgan."
Artist
Sculptor Jimilu Mason was born in Washington, D.C., graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1949. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts from George Washington University, Mason's studio is in Italy.
Condition
This sculpture was surveyed in 1994 for its condition and it was described that treatment was needed.