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The
painting, “larger than life”, by Texan born, Mexican-American artist Fred
Villanueva, was commissioned by Christina Cox, Founder and Executive Director
of the National Museum of Catholic Art and History in NYC, and set up in the
main hall at the Pope John Paul II Center for the Inter-religious Dialogue
event on April 17th. It will be the first and only painting His
Holiness will see upon his arrival when meeting with the most important
religious leaders of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindis, and Jews from all over the
world.
Villanueva
thought that making the visit of Pope Benedict should be “muy grande”! Having
grown up in Texas, where everything is “bigger and better”, and inspired by
Mexican mural painting as well as German Neo-Expressionism, Villanueva has
decorated the building wall in contemporary vivid colors. The painting
underscores the cultural, artistic, and spiritual contributions of the largely
Roman Catholic Mexican, Hispanic and Latino community of America for the Holy
Father by depicting Saints from all over Europe, the Middle East, and North
Africa, alongside the work of the greatest painters in history. “My hope is to
enkindle and enlighten through painting”, said Villanueva, who now lives and
works in New York City.
Italian
born NMCAH art curator Mariavelia Savino knew that Pope Benedict’s writings
focus on Saints, theologians and Christian mystics. Mariavelia researched devotional
images for the artist’s first sketches. “Everyone knows that Saints create
miracles and restore your faith. The Holy Father surrounded with St. Augustine,
St. Catherine, St Theresa of Avila, St Thomas Aquinas and so many others is
bound to be a success with the Pope’s meeting because all the theologians are
beside him. In the painting he is at prayer asking for world peace.”
What
better than a large beautiful painting to make a political and spiritual
statement - without saying a word!
For more information please contact:
In NYC
www.nmcah.org 212-828-5209 / (917-750-0014
cell) / info@nmcah.org
In
Washington, DC The Pope John Paul II Center 202-635-5400
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