“Holy Family of the Streets” by Kelly Latimore
As we approach Christmas in a couple of weeks, depictions of the birth of Jesus are seen in a variety of settings. Many of us have a creche in our homes that includes the familiar characters of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manger. In our home, we have a treasured creche that we have put out for the last 35 years. The artist Kelly Latimore produces works that challenge us to see Jesus beyond the manger by depicting familiar Biblical characters in light of contemporary justice issues. “The Holy Family of the Streets” posted above shows the Holy Family in a way that brings to our minds and hearts the plight of both unhoused persons and refugees. Recalling that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were unhoused persons who had to flee to Egypt as refugees makes this piece especially powerful. Can we dare to see Jesus in those we see today who are unhoused and/or refugees? Then we would not settle for dehumanizing language or policies that label people with terms such as “street person” or “illegal alien.”
I want to share a second piece by Kelly Latimore that is equally powerful and has recently caused some controversy. It is called “Mama” and is posted below:
“Mama” by Kelly Latimore
This piece is a pieta that shows Mary holding the body of her dead son Jesus following his execution. Controversy arose on two counts: 1. Some people objected to Jesus and Mary being depicted as Black , an objection that is most likely associated with the erroneous assumption that Jesus was white. 2.More widespread criticism came from people who noticed that the image of Jesus bears a resemblance to George Floyd. I watched a video interview with the artist during which he addressed the inevitable question,” Is the dead man being held by Mary Jesus or George Floyd?” Kelly Latimore answered without hesitation, “Both.” The very title of this piece recalls one of the last words spoken by George Floyd as he was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. Even as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we cannot separate his birth from his life as a poor person of color, his unjust execution at the hands of civil and religious powers, and his resurrection that triumphed over those powers. By using an image that evokes both George Floyd and Jesus, the artist calls our attention to the many people of color who are made in the image of God and yet are the victims of violence and even death at the hands of authorities.
“Mama” by Kelly Latimore received attention in the news media when a copy of the piece being exhibited outside the chapel at the law school of Catholic University in Washington, DC. was stolen presumably by someone who objected to it. The University had received many offensive and racist comments including death threats against the artist. Yet the media coverage of the theft only increased the number of people throughout the country who saw this powerful and challenging work of art. This is consistent with the way God works by bringing good out of evil and lifting up those oppressed by injustice. As Kelly Latimore put it, “In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to find him in all people, especially those who suffer as George Floyd did.”
Click here for a link to the website that features many powerful faith based pieces of art by Kelly Latimore: