Were some Catholic saints transgender? Berkeley show raises eyebrows

[theHandpuppet]

Really interesting article. The work reminds me of Frida Kahlo, very striking. Feel free to cross post.

Were some Catholic saints transgender? Berkeley show raises eyebrows
Kimberly Winston
November 6, 2014

BERKELEY, Calif. (RNS) Step into the one-room art gallery inside the Pacific School of Religion and look closely at the saints in the paintings: Some have beards; some have buzz cuts; some have their breasts obscured; some appear in unisex clothes like tanks tops and jeans.

Are they women or men?

That’s the point of artist Alma Lopez’s new show, “Queer Santas: Holy Violence,” on display at this theological school known for its embrace of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. In playing with the gender characteristics of religious icons usually depicted as feminine, Lopez asks us to reconsider our ideas of religion, beauty and gender.

Justin Tanis, who teaches at the school, said it’s as if these saints, with their direct eye contact and open arms, are saying, “‘I am natural, I am one of God’s people.’ And yet this is an image that many people would consider heretical because gender play is involved.”.... MORE at http://www.religionnews.com/2014/11/06/catholic-saints-transgender-berkeley-show-raises-eyebrows/

[rug]

1. That's an interesting take but it comes off more as projection than understanding.

[theHandpuppet]

4. The intent of the artist is to generate discussion

I think this was a very novel way to spur people to "reconsider our ideas of religion, beauty and gender".

Speaking by phone from her home in Southern California, Lopez, 47, said she was drawn to the stories of these saints because of their refusal to conform to the social norms expected of women in their times — much the way lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people today do.

“I think many of us would refuse to submit to something that we do not believe in, especially when it has something to do with identity,” she said. “In our community, we do endure so much because we believe in certain things and we know ourselves. So I wanted the Queer Santas to stand for that and start a discussion of how much we endure to be who we are and love who we want to love.”

[rug]

5. It has and it's not a unique approach.

The problem I see with viewing the past with modern eyes is what results is often a distorted view of the past. I would be very interested in knowing how these people lived out their lives under then prevailing circumstances.

[riversedge]

2. I love artists and what they can imagine/do....

I can not draw a straight line or keep in the lines te he.

[cbayer]

3. Some great stories here and about saints that I have never heard of.

Agree that there is a Frida Kahlo feeling here. Would love to see these IRL. Paintings of women that appear somewhat ambiguous have been the ones I have been most compelled by during my adult life.