Virgin Mary Imagery Art Discussion

Instructions for Discussion Forum #2: Cross-cultural appropriations, Images of the Virgin Mary

This discussion forum will get you thinking and talking about a number of topics concerning the functions of sacred images, cross-cultural issues, and censorship of the arts. There is a bit more reading here than in later discussion forums, but the course is just beginning and you will need good historical context in order to discuss appropriately.

Readings:
You will read an essay about crosscultural beliefs about the Virgin Mary and discussing Mary as a patron of warriors:

Amy G. Remensnyder “Warrior and Diplomat: Mary between Islam and Christianity” from Timothy Verdun et. al, eds., Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea, exhibition catalogue, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C., 2014-2015. This is a large file, mostly because of the color images; the essay itself is not too long. Considering the fraught history between Islam and Christianity this is an interesting essay about the Virgin Mary as she has been perceived in different religions. . Pdf on BB in Course Documents.

Blog posting on Madonna Lactans images (Virgin Mary nursing Christ), by Jane Arney.
You will read the following short pieces on British/African artist Chris Ofilis painting of the Holy Virgin Mary,1996; take a good look at the image posted in the folder.

KhanAcademy article; newspaper articles and editorials on Chris Ofilis The Holy Virgin Mary and NYC Mayor Rudy Giulianis attempted censorship/censureship of the Sensation exhibition.

Discussion questions.

Even today in a world that is sometimes seen as highly secular, we have a sense of propriety about sacred images. Here are some issues to think about:

What were some functions and significances of images of the Virgin Mary? Can one draw connections between Amy G. Remensnyders article about some examples of functions and depictions of the Virgin Mary, and Ofilis reinterpretation of the theme?
How did Chris Ofili appropriate Virgin Mary imagery? How did he make it relevant to himself and his cultural heritage?

Here are some other issues to discuss; I am sure that you will come up with more on your own:

Do you think that Chris Ofili was genuine in his compilation of traditional Virgin Mary imagery, African materials, and collage elements in this work, or was he trying to be sensationalistic? What are your thoughts on artistic censorship? Is there a time and place when artistic expression ought to be censored?

What other topics and ideas did you find interesting in this context?

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