Virgin POP Mary!

French artist / sculptor Soasig Chamaillard created a polemic series of pop culture characters, from found or damaged miniature statues of the iconic Virgin Mary.

“I grew up in a Christian Western society. My perspective on life has been a result of my environment and background. The playful interaction of society’s many icons, physical transformations, and the resulting improbable combinations, have culminated in my vision of a woman’s role and place in our society. This inner questioning of a woman’s role, has led me to use one of the most sacred icons in my work, namely, the Virgin Mary. Initially, I begin with damaged statues, either donated or discovered in garage sales, which I then restore and transform. I surely do not mean to chock those who believe but rather to move those who see.”

But not everyone was charmed by her work. In 2011, Chamaillard’s reimagined icons created quite the controversy in Nantes, France, where Catholic critics declared her exhibit at Galerie Albane “scandalous,” “shameful,” and “blasphemous.”

In response, the French artist stated to ARTINFO France: “I suspected that this could shock the sensibilities of certain people, but I didn’t think there would be so many of them.” She continued, “Faith should be strong enough to remain unshaken by simple objects. I think they need to step back from the object and not forget that it’s an artistic work.”

Oddly enough, Mother Mary still looks sweet and serene, even in these depictions. Our hope is that some young people can have a sense of God’s joy. What do you think?

Source: Huffington Post

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” Saint Maximilian Kolbe

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