Yashoda and Jesus
Mary and Krishna
Oil on canvas, 48"x36", 2012
Antenna Gallery, Mixed Messages
These two paintings will be in the Press Street's Antenna Gallery, Mixed Messages exhibition. Opening Saturday June 7, 5pm to 9pm. On view through July 1. Gallery hours 12 noon to 5 pm, Monday through Sunday. Call 504-298-3161 before arrival. Address: 3718 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, La. Hope to see you there!
SWITCHED AT BIRTH is a pair of paintings,
MARY WITH KRISHNA and YASHODA WITH JESUS
These two paintings are from the series, "POP Religion". POP Religion explores the myths that humans live by with irreverence/reverence and with humor.
In this pair of paintings the babies are switched between the two mothers. The Caucasian mother holds the blue skinned baby, and the blue Indian mother holds the pink baby. The Christian Mother Mary is holding the Hindu Baby God Krishna. The Hindu nurture Mother Yashoda is holding the Christian Baby God Jesus.
The inspiration for these pictures is the similarities between the births, myths and teachings of Krishna and Jesus. Similarities between Christianity and Hinduism.
Both Krishna and Jesus were divinely conceived, brought to earth via miraculous insemination. God planted holy sperm seeds in the human mothers' wombs.
Krishna was born in a prison, Jesus was born in a barn (manger means a feeder for livestock). So they were both born in lowly, unlikely places.
Both Krishna and Jesus were hybrid human and immortal Gods.
As Gods incarnate in human bodies, both were the chosen Saviors of flawed and suffering humans. Both Gods were dedicated to saving humans from themselves.
Both Krishna and Jesus were humble and lead simple ascetic lives. Both associated with downtrodden people.
Both healed the sick and raised the dead.
Both taught tolerance, mercy and kindness; compassionate love.
There are many similarities in their lives, leading some scholars to theorize that the two myths stemmed from the one same story, and the differences in the myths are explained by their word of mouth retelling over time and traveling over a geographical area.
Other scholars, like Carl Jung postulate that the many similarities in not just these two myths but in many myths worldwide and over historical centuries is a result of an oversoul or spiritual connection between all humans everywhere and for all times.
Another factor in the similarities of world wide myths is the universality of the human dilemma. In the words of artist Gauguin, "Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?" We cant stand not knowing.
POP Religion is influenced by the writings of Joseph Campbell, Sir James Frazier, Carl Jung and by historical visual depictions of world wide myths. The seriousness of these influences is balanced by humor. Because if we cant laugh at ourselves, then we are really in trouble.
Note: the "Yashoda and Jesus" picture here is the digital image that I used as preliminary study for the canvas painting. The painting is different, the figures are similar but the background of the canvas picture is of clouds.
