Christopher Rico's first solo exhibition in New York City,"Via Dolorosa", is a re-imagining of the Stations of the Cross. The body of work features 14 large-scale abstract paintings which encircle the Narthex Gallery, a space adjacent to the Louise Nevelson Chapel.
The work contends with the Christian prophet’s last day as he walks from trial to tomb. Named after the road in Jerusalem that is historically believed to be the route towards the cross, the show’s title, “Via Dolorosa” translates to "Way of Sorrow", or "Way of Suffering". Some of the titles of the stations have been changed to reflect Rico’s own interpretational narrative; most notably perhaps, the three falls are replaced by the three failures.
Christopher Rico is an American abstract painter living and working in South Carolina. He grew up on military bases across the United States and has lived on both coasts and along both borders. He received his undergrad¬uate degree from the University of Memphis in 1995, followed by an intensive series of studio art and art history courses at Presbyterian College from 2003-2005. In 2016, he received his master’s of arts from Clemson Universi¬ty. Rico has exhibited in regional art museums in South Carolina as well as commercial galleries in Atlanta, GA, New Orleans, L.A and New York City.