At first glance, I Am and I Am appears to present a familiar figure: Christ beneath the crown of thorns.
Look longer and the face begins to change.
Two faces emerge within one. One seems to look upward while another appears from the opposing side, separate yet inseparable, occupying the same form.
The title draws upon the ancient declaration of divine existence: I Am.
Here, that declaration is doubled.
I Am and I Am.
The work explores the idea of divine duality. Mercy and judgment. Creation and destruction. Humanity and divinity. Suffering and salvation. Light and darkness.
Rather than presenting these forces as simple contradictions, the painting asks whether apparent opposites can exist within a single greater whole, much as opposing forces coexist within the concept of yin and yang.
The crown of thorns intensifies the paradox. Christ himself becomes both human and divine, condemned and exalted, wounded and eternal.
Look once and there is one face.
Look again and there are two.
Perhaps both were there all along.
This collector's edition is strictly limited to 20 prints. Each print is personally hand signed and individually numbered 1/20 through 20/20 by Michael J. Thomas and includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Khaos Art Studios documenting its place within the edition.
Once all 20 prints have been sold, this limited edition will be permanently closed.
