A couple of days ago I retweeted a Twitter message with an attached photo which was a "blast from the past." It was of the sculpture at Emmanuel College, my seminary alma mater, of the figure of a naked cruciform woman. In didn't begin life in the courtyard of the college, with the original installation at Bloor St. United Church in Toronto during Holy Week and Good Friday in 1979.
Almuth Lutkenhaus’ sculpture Crucified Woman was so controversial that the Rev. Clifford Elliot, the incumbent minister at the time, was charged with heresy in his presbytery. The charges were dropped, but it was a tough time for Cliff. I was a second year Emmanuel student at the time, and rather unnerved by this sculpture. But Cliff was such a gracious and decent person, so I listened carefully as he spoke about this work at the college. He kindly gave me a ride home after he spoke and he mentioned that a woman in the congregation had written an angry letter that included a range of opinions, including her convictions why God chose to enter humanity as a man, and about the subordinate role of women. He offered wryly that while normally he wouldn't agree, in this case he was tempted to make an exception and tell her to remain silent in church.
The sculpture was eventually installed in the Victoria University/ Emmanuel College courtyard, but not without debate and not until 1986. Nearly 35 years later someone chose to share the image again.
I will confess that I still find Crucified Woman somewhat jarring, yet I have come to appreciate the way it opens up many paths for reflection and discussion. What does this say about God's choice of the incarnation? What if Christ had come as a woman? If Christ has been depicted as Asian or a person of colour, why not a female? Can this sculpture help us ponder the suffering and marginalization of women through the ages?
Ah yes, so United Church. There is nothing simple or straightforward about our theology. For the most part I say, thank God.
What are your thoughts about this sculpture? What would your reaction be if it was in your church during Holy Week?
Take a look at my most recent Groundling blog musing.
http://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.ca/2013/09/you-are-here-thanks-be-to-god.html
3 comments:
The idea of Gods image as woman is a hot topic. The feminist in me says right on sister the tradionalist in me says whoa wait a minute aren’t all those pictures we have of God and Jesus we have seen thru the ages you know the one the old man with the white beard sitting in the clouds looking down on us or the Picture of Jesus you know the one where the eyes follow you around the room.
Today’s inclusive language lets us believe that there is one God “father God mother of us all”
The Buddhist in me says that the deity can be. For centuries Eastern cultures have worshipped Kwan Yin as the Compassionate Saviouress of the East. Likened to the great stature of the Virgin Mary in the West, she is the Goddess of Compassion, a motherly figure thought to bestow children on the truly faithful, and to be there for anyone in need of love and sympathy.
All those who needlessly suffer are Kwan Yin's children. She is all-loving, and the perfect embodiment of beauty, grace and enduring compassion
I would figure that some would more offended that a woman in naked outside of a church
Image of God is personal thing some will see them as a man some as a woman some of my friends who are spiritualist see “god” as energy it’s a personal matter
I can't remember - was there ever an "official" explanation of the reason the artist portrayed Christ suffering on the cross as female? Or was it just left to the viewer to make one's own interpretation?
Given that we still see women being abused and left behind by the other gender, even in our enlightened society, at most leadership levels, I tend to see this as a representation of truth and light that is not allowed to be seen ... women have many gifts , insights and abilities to share , and should be considered as equals (woman was made from Adam's rib, to stand beside him, not from a bone in his foot, , to be trampled upon or lower than man, nor from his head to be higher than man, or "over" him.... many still don't see this, and that is why this statue still speaks , to me, of women's issues)
Have always admired this piece of art. It is beautiful, moving and makes you think. That is what art is suppose to do.
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