The Way of the Cross: Photographs by Stephen Deazley
The Way of the Cross is an exhibition of photographs by Stephen Deazley, charting graffitied crosses in Scottish cities. Catch it at Upright Gallery from 22nd to 26th January!
About The Way of the Cross: Photographs by Stephen Deazley
The Way of the Cross charts graffitied crosses in Scottish cities. Marked in ink, chalk, pencil and nail polish, scratched into wood and stone or drawn with a finger into the grime of a telephone box window, they can be found at the thresholds to tenement flats, on the side of bins, or positioned with a graphic and sometimes comic eye, riding upon graffiti tags or in direct conversation with the peeling fabric of the city’s walls.
It borrows its title from Via Dolorosa, The Way of Sorrow, an ancient devotional route in Jerusalem’s Old City that rises in the Muslim quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and which is believed to mark moments in the passion and crucifixion of Jesus: where he was condemned to death; took up the cross; consoled his weeping mother; and is eventually stripped and nailed to the cross. It is a profound story of sacrifice and ritualised public humiliation, kindness and cruelty, vulnerability and strength, fear and acceptance.
Photographer, Stephen Deazley grew up in a Belfast Catholic household in a culture rich with icons and biblical imagery, and while he is not, these days, religious in any way, he finds these crosses and the mark making very moving, akin more to private meditations than public declarations of faith. They speak to him of loneliness and affirmation in equal measure and reveal part of a city’s untold story. Collecting them has become a meditation, a ritual of walking, noticing, and bearing witness to those who made them and to the moments in time when they were made.
“You ignore graffiti at your peril. It’s the heartbeat of a city. It’s the voice of the voiceless.”
Terry Pratchett
Stephen Deazley is perhaps better known across Scotland as a choir director, music educator and composer, whose work enables communities and people of all ages to participate in inspirational music making. This is his first public exhibition.
10% of profits on sales will be donated to Simon Community Scotland, providing safe places and support for people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Upright Gallery
Home, work, love and hope - Annual Artist Books Exhibition
The Annual Artist Books Exhibition is taking place at Upright Gallery from 29th November with 32 artists exhibiting over 60 artist books on themes of Home, work, love and hope.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour
Join our British Sign Language tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The Biba Story: 1964–1975
The Biba Story explores how fashion phenomenon Biba blossomed to become the world’s first lifestyle label, sparking a revolution in how people shopped.
READ MORE
The Scottish Tattoo Convention
The Scottish Tattoo Convention returns to the O2 Academy Edinburgh in March 2026, bigger and better than ever!
READ MORE
Flora, Fauna & Fabric, Where Art Meets Fashion!
Scottish artists/designers Adrienne Kerr and Elizabeth Martin unite their shared love of nature, storytelling, and textile in this exhibition at Dundas Street Gallery!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links