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Painting
Mary Magdalene



La Magdalena by Minerva González
Minerva González interprets a traditional Mary Magdalene in unusual materials. In the artists own words: "Mary Magdalene was a faithful follower of the great teacher Jesus. He frees her from 7 demons and her love for him was so great that she spared no money, time, possessions, or anything else to serve him. She was the first to see the risen Christ." The Magdalene holds the cross, smiling knowingly and peacefully. She moves us to join her in her meditation. Minerva has been
Tanya Torres
Jul 20, 20231 min read


Leenda Bonilla: New York Magdalene
In her painting El Sueño de Los Amantes Está Floreciendo... en NuYOrk, artist Leenda Bonilla celebrates the mature bloom of love and the feminine "en Nueva York." Leaves and flowers surround the woman, a mid-century Magdalene, her tears contained by shells from the sea. Two lovers embrace behind her, perhaps a memory or a dream, or something else. As a Puerto Rican artist living and creating culture in the Bronx, Leenda's green forest around the figure can exist in an empty
Tanya Torres
Jul 20, 20232 min read


The Lady of the Lake by Laura Alvarez
Laura Alvarez begins the story of the Magdalene as someone would tell a fairytale: "Maria Magdalena has cried through centuries. Through time, she spilled many tears, and they became a lake where flowers blossom reaching the sky..." Laura Alvarez's mythological creature takes inspiration from the Biblical and popular stories that portray the tears of the Magdalene, and builds meaning beyond the "crying Magdalene", imagining what might happen after centuries of tears. The Magd
Tanya Torres
Jul 19, 20232 min read


Untitled, A Subjective Reflection on Mary Magdalene by Juanita Lanzó
Juanita Lanzó's abstract image is described by the artist as "a subjective reflection on life's ephemeral and transient aspect, and the promise of renewal and hope, mirroring Mary Magdalene' witnessing the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ." This small and powerful image subtly evokes a sense of interiority and flow into the unknown self. Earthy reds and traces of graphite guide us into the depths of the soul-body. It may suggest in one's mind the gnostic understanding o
Tanya Torres
Jul 19, 20232 min read


Friendship Is An Earthly Matter by Yarisa Colón Torres
Yarisa Colon Torres' arcane verses, a fragment of the poem titled "Friendship Is An Earthly Matter," guide us on a meditation that observes and recognizes an invisible company along the chosen path. With threads and paper, color and texture, Yarisa welcomes the viewer into her perception: It seems as a minuscule universe within the eyelid that does not abandon In her own words, the artist shares: "In this handmade creation I combine collage and poetry to honor the gifts of fr
Tanya Torres
Jul 18, 20231 min read


Maddalena per Noreen by Julia Zell
Julia Zell's sweet interpretation of Mary Magdalene incorporates her personal style, family roots and an invitation to smile as well as to dig into the spiritual symbolism of rabbits. We don't often stop to think about why bunnies are everywhere at Easter, but in Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, fertility and new life because of their ability to reproduce rapidly. In other contexts, rabbits symbolize humbly, kindness, compassion, intuition good luck,
Tanya Torres
Jul 17, 20232 min read


"Why the Magdalene?" Manifesto by Raquel Z. Rivera
It was in 2006 that Tanya and I decided to channel our shared devotion for Mary of Magdala into a joint artistic project in homage of the symbol and myth that She is. We had already started painting and writing songs for her. We had already started our obsessive dialogues and readings: interpretations and re-interpretations of Christian theology, the apocriphal and gnostic gospels, the myths, fiction, music and visual traditions of twenty centuries A.M. (After Magdalene). Eve
Tanya Torres
Jul 16, 20235 min read


Mary Magdalene the Myrrh Bearer, Icon Written by Nita Renfrew
With this icon of Mary Magdalene, Nita renfrew brings a traditional element exploring the many aspects of Mary Magdalene to the exhibition Blossoming during The Mary Magdalene Celebration. Nita shares with us her thoughts and intuitions: The Shadow Trinity (as it has come to me): Mary Magdalene the Healer, the shadow Jesus Christ The Virgin Mary, Mother of God The Holy Spirit—a female Dove who lays the Eggs that bring Light and Life to Earth The Official Holy Trinity: Jesus
Tanya Torres
Jul 16, 20233 min read


Mary Magdalene: Ineffable Beauty by Dacxilia de Zavaleta
In this mysterious image, the Magdalene observes us with her green eye, keeping her other eye concealed, and preserving her answers for those who meet her in worlds apart from our present reality. Dacxilia tells us about her painting Mary Magdalene: Ineffable Beauty, part of the exhibition Blossoming, on view July 18-22 at El Barrio Art Space Gallery and culminating in The Mary Magdalene Celebration: "This artwork has been the product of a contemplation of the being-woman-so
Tanya Torres
Jul 15, 20232 min read


Magdalene Inspired Maddsoapnyc by Madeline Rodriguez
Madeline Rodriguez is a soap artist whose name and dedication connect her to Mary Magdalene. Her use of scents and oils become an experience as you visit her little store in La Marqueta, East Harlem, NYC. As a guest artisan in the Mary Magdalene Celebration, Madeline shared with us her thoughts on her craft and process: In 2022, I was invited to the celebration of Mary Magdalene held by Tanya Torres. The event was free spirited, liberating and brought on a sense of awareness
Tanya Torres
Jul 5, 20232 min read
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