Title: Jonah

Size: width 800mm x height 1300mm

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Description:

I am exploring ancient nautical history and stories.

Allegedly, around 785 BCE, Jonah, a prophet, was commanded by God to preach repentance to the citizens of Nineveh, a principal Assyrian city, known for its wickedness. Jonah refused to believe that these hated people deserve salvation. Rather than traveling east to the landlocked city of Nineveh, he instead fled west to the port of Joppa and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish across the Mediterranean sea.

A wild tempestuous storm threatened the ship, the sailors drew lots, to find out which man was the cause of their misfortune. The lot fell to Jonah, whereby the sailors blamed him for their misfortune and threw him overboard. Jonah’s fate, found him swallowed by a great fish. Once Jonah is thrown into the sea, the storm subsided, and the sailors rejoiced.

After repenting and being spat out by the fish, Jonah reluctantly fulfilled Gods command to preach to the citizens of Nineveh. The narrative highlights themes of superstition, obedience, mercy and compassion.