Arte de Bolivia
Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Ralph Anderson, OFS shares his reflection on a painting about social justice created by a Bolivian artist.
I bought a painting. The Bolivian artist Oscarera created a painting that says a lot about my personal impression of Bolivia after living here for ten months. I spoke with the artist about the painting and what I saw. Art is an objective form of creation. Often, a viewer will see something in a work of art that is meaningful to them. Oscarera was pleased that I saw such depth in his work.
The view point I express is my own and does not express anything that is taught in the FMS Formation program. We live in a time when a viewpoint is expressed that creates anger in others. My intent is to cause others to stop for a moment and think. Ask yourself what you see. Contemplate for a moment. Where do you see yourself in the painting? What is your impression?
Do you see it in the light of your faith? Do you see a Gospel message? Does it call to you to take action or assist those who are moving forward for justice?
I see myself in the painting. I am the small little man who has looked below the barrier and sees the suffering. The man can’t look at injustice and remain silent. The police that surround me represent the legalists in society that see me as a threat to their way of life. To their comfortable life within the Church, bringing Christ’s words of conviction from the 25th chapter of Matthew. Below the barrier, I see the wage slaves who are propping up the world’s economy with their unjust wages. There is a small coffin, a child who died before it’s time because they do not have access to clean drinking water. I see a man punished for speaking up. I see a naked boy being held by his mother as he is dying. He is naked because everything that goes into his body passes right through him. It is easier to keep him clean if he is naked. Have you ever experienced a severe waterborne illness?
The people above the barrier can’t see the people below the barrier, or they don’t want to see. The people below the barrier can’t hear the people above the barrier. They can’t hear the Gospel because they have not seen the love of the Gospel. They have not felt the love from those who preach the Gospel and put it into ACTION, because too often those voices are silenced.
What do you see? I would love to hear from you.
Question for Reflection: Reflect on the painting that Ralph discusses in this blog post. How does it make you feel? Which person in this painting do you relate to most?
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