Holy Family statue, repainted

[asakiyume]

The tall one had acquired a Holy Family statue from somewhere. It had seen better days: the paint on it was peeling horribly; Mary and Jesus looked like they had terrible skin conditions, and Joseph looked even more beaten down than he often does. More than a year ago, I asked him if I could repaint it, and he said yes ... and then it took me more than a year to do it.

Putting aside issues of oppressive evangelization, I really love localized madonna-and-child representations--from Vietnam, Ethiopia, the Arctic, anywhere. Hell, that's what all of Renaissance art's depictions are: localizations to Europe. And to different eras. In that spirit, I painted a more melanated version of the Holy Family. Maybe they're from southern Asia. Maybe somewhere else, I don't know.

The statue also came with an electric lantern, but the wiring was fried, so wakanomori got a solar lantern to replace it. In the photo you can just about see the light it casts. (... everybody is shiny because I coated the statue with something so it can resist the wear and tear of outdoor life, UV rays, all that...)

Comments

[zdenka]

Pretty! I like them. And not being the stylized white-and-blonde version also makes them look more like real people, and I like that too.

(I'm not sure how much my Jewish opinion counts here, but have it anyway . . .)

[asakiyume]

Your Jewish opinion matters a whole lot to me! Thank you ❤️

[wayfaringwordhack]

Look forward to seeing it in situ.

[asakiyume]

I wonder where the tall one will put it! When he first got it, he was living in a first-floor apartment in an apartment complex, and he could put it right outside his door. Now he rents a room in a house... so it kind of depends on what the owner of the house thinks about displaying it? So we'll see. If I can get a photo, I will!

statue in situ

[asakiyume]

The lantern doing its thing ^_^

Re: statue in situ

[wayfaringwordhack]

Excellent! Thank you and Happy New Year!

Re: statue in situ

[asakiyume]

Happy New Year! May it be bright(er, at the very least)

[mallorys_camera]

Maybe the tall one will let you display it outside your house.

That will confuse your neighbors. 😀

[asakiyume]

It would *definitely* confuse people.

[pameladean]

I am pretty allergic to Christianity, but that is lovely. P.

[asakiyume]

I understand! I was hesitant even to post because I know it can produce hives for some--and with reason. I appreciate your generosity <3 (And I'm glad you like it.)

[pameladean]

I am glad you did post. I could easily have bailed at the phrase "Holy Family" if I hadn't been in the right place to read on.

P.

[osprey_archer]

What a fantastic project! Did you do the design around the hem of Mary's robe, too?

[asakiyume]

Yes, that's all me! The design and color of her clothes and the very mild pattern on Joseph's neckline. (There's also a border to his wrap, but you can't see it.) and I put the star on Jesus's forehead.

[amaebi]

Blessings on your work, and on the holy lamina.

[asakiyume]

Thank you! (ETA: figured it out! Holy Family, yes? And yes: a good blessing)

[amaebi]

No, I just meant the shiny weather-resistant coating. :D

[asakiyume]

LOL, got it, got it ^_^

[heleninwales]

I really like the way you've coloured the holy family. The darker skin tones make Mary and Joseph seem more real somehow. You've done a beautiful job.

[asakiyume]

I like the idea that any family can be the holy family--kind of like Mother Teresa's thing (not just her thing, but she's the one I think of saying this) of seeing Jesus in anybody/everybody. Maybe seeing darker faces makes a break away from stale iconography, and in that sense it feels real-er?

[heleninwales]

Yes, I think the darker skin makes you look again more carefully, seeing the humanity rather than just a pale Medieval icon.

[sartorias]

Oh I love this. I love the colors you chose, both for warm and humane symbolism, and for how they complement and grace the eye.

[asakiyume]

Thank you ^_^
I'm really glad!

[nineweaving]

Oh, that is beautifully done!

Nine

[asakiyume]

Thank you, I'm pleased you think so!

[stormehowl]

I love that they have a beautiful and more accurate skin color.

[asakiyume]

Very happy that you like it!