Recently, the focus of the news are on the election
of the new pope and finally Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to be the new
leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
In the new pope’s inauguration Mass , we can see
that he was wearing white zucchetto and white mozetta and the cardinals were
wearing red zucchettos and mozetta.they are all well-dressed and they
looked inviolable and stately as usual. This is definetly the the usual image
and impression in people’s mind.
 | |
| Pope Francis in the inauguration Mass |
However, have you ever thought that such a holy and
inviolable religon has their dark side which is another face that seldom unveil
in front of the world?
In Sharon Kopriva’s art world, the religion not
only has bright side , but also can be frightful and dark. She unveil the dark
side of the religion through her art work. Her art work is her faith through
her eyes.[1]
Catholicism Background
Her religion background has built
up since she was small. She went to Catholic school before the Second Vatican
Council. Darkness. Fear. Penance are her earliest impressions[2] towards Catholicism.
Most of her art works are
carrying the same theme – religion and faith, especially Christianism and
Catholicism. However, her art works are also containing some other issues, such
as the primitive, the historic, issues of life and death.[3]
What is the inspiration of her art work
Her art work was influenced by a
trip to Peru in 1982.[4] The mummies she saw in Peru captured her. In
Peru, mummies were symbolic of rebirth.[5] She thinks the mummies are stunning and they later
turned into important elements of her art work.
Secondly, she is highly inspired
and influenced by Joel-Peter Witkin and she admitted that herself. Joel-Peter
Witkin is an photograph and his work often deals with such themes as death,
religion, corpses (and sometimes dismembered portions thereof), and various
outsiders such as dwarves, transsexuals, hermaphrodites, and physically
deformed people.[6]
Their format of art are different and you will have
different kinds of horror and fear when you look at their work, yet the style
and somehow the theme of their art work are quite consistent.
Joel’s work are mostly physically deformed people
and dismembered body while most of the characters of Sharon’s work are
turned into mummies. Both of their work make the audience feel the fear.
 |
| Savior of the Primates - Joel-Peter Witkin |
Moreover, you might also think of Anselm Kiefer
when you look at Sharon’s work because of the depressive and negative feeling
of their art work. Also, we can believe that Sharon’s work is inspired by
Pericle Fazzini.
 |
| The Resurrection - Pericle Fazzini ( sculpture ) |
How Sharon’s work make reference
to other art work /
How does she inspire others
There is no specific artist or art work which is
influenced by Sharon. Her art work generally affect and make reference to
alternative religious art and dark religious art. Also, she raised the public
awareness of the problem of the Christianism and Catholicism. Eg. sexual abuse
children and corruption.
Example of alternative religious art:
 |
| Die Harder - David Mach (sculpture) |
The chosen art work - “Prey
for us”
 | |
| Prey for us - Sharon Kopriva |
There is a cross hanging on the wall, the little
boy is standing under the shadow of the shape of clergy and praying to the
cross. On the wall, there is a phrase- “Prey for us”
Unlike other art works of Sharon, this sculpture is
not in a horrible mummy form, but it is a normal little boy. This sculpture
doesn’t have a ugly face but a innocent one. This is a very symbolic art
work. The symbol of this art work is really obvious and therefore expressing
the theme clearly. It remind us about the sexual abuse case related to clergy.
After the sexual abuse, the kids can will live
under the awful experience for the entire life. Just like how the little boy
stand under the shadow of the shape of clergy. I think this can definitely
reflect the image in the victims’heart.
Besides, the artist trickily play with the
pronounce of the words. The pronounce of “prey” is same as “pray”, however the
meaning is completely different. “Prey” means “to try to deceive or harm weaker
people” whereas “pray” means “to speak to God in order to ask for help”. This
contradiction make this art work more ironic.
For me , sculpture is my favourite form of art, as
when I look at a sculpture I will feel that I m closer to the artist than when
I look at a painting. That is just a personal feeling. Maybe because I think
that sculpture is lifelike, just like they are living creature. More important
the sculpture speaks itself and it is just like telling its own story. I think
the feeling expressed by sculpture is more direct.
Even I am not a christian, Sharon’s work attract
me. I have a very strong feeling when I see her work. I am not sure if I have
even seen anything like this before, I only know I feel creepy and I can feel
the pain and sufferance of the little boy (victims). There is no blood, no dead
body, no mummy, but I have no idea where does my fear come from when I look at
this art work. It feels like you are so hopeless that you cant breath. It is
such an powerful art work that Sharon brings me to her world and I look at
these holy and inviolable religion through her eyes.
How about you ? What do you feel?
Reference:
Here is a youtube link that introduce Sharon's art exhibition
-->Sharon Kopriva en exposiciones de esta
semana.. (Lima, Peru)
but it is in Spanish.
Thanks for the post. Your post is certainly very clear-structured and detailed. I like the way how you introduce the work of art by citing a recent piece of news.
ReplyDeleteAs for myself, this artwork gives a horrible feeling. It is constructed in a rather dark style, as the little boy standing in the shadow, just like truth usually buried in the dark.
The message of this work is expressed in a strong way with the shadow covering the cross. The shadow of the priest is overwhelming to the boy, and the words on the wall is written in red color assembling blood. It is obvious what it tries to condemned.
Again, thanks for your sharing.
Aaron Tsui
This artwork is very compelling and meaningful as it has a strong religious context. The cross is supposed to be sacred, however, the light and shadow has made the whole environment creepy and suffocating. The boy has an innocence face and appeared to be vulnerable, nevertheless he was overwhelmed by an unknown shadow who wants to 'prey' him. This sculpture could undoubtedly trigger the innermost astonishment and empathy over sexual-abuse of children among the audience.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this artwork very much as it is effective in outlining the strong and suffocating environment utilizing lights and background. The crossover of the words 'pray' and 'prey' are just like implying the struggling between Lord and Devil.
However, I think you can add some cultural context and social context as references, such as what actual social problems have inspired the sculptors to create this artwork?
Dear Cyndi,
ReplyDeleteYour post is well structured and well researched. This was reflected in your presentation in class. For you final paper I would suggest two things:
- Work on the tone of language, avoid using words like "kids" or "creepy" instead use "children" or "disturbing." Also be a more objective in the writing, especially when you talk about your attraction to sculpture over painting.
- You haven't talked about the controversy and impact this work has or might of had on the public. In the past, many artists and public figures have been scrutinized for their criticism towards the Vatican. Was this also the case for this artists? As Colman points out in the comment above what is the social context for this piece and would the reaction differ in Asia or HK?