Problem
Do you agree or disagree with this write-up? Did they make any points that perhaps you did not consider? Can you add to their comments in a meaningful way?
"I chose The Veiled Christ 2008 because I think it clearly illustrates Wileys work and message in such a raw manner. The painting captures a veiled man lying down in a replication manner of the original veiled christ painting. Though, Wileys rendition captures a much more real image. Rather than the peaceful expression on the face of christ in the original image, Wiley presents a man with an expression of agony, almost like he is gasping for air. In Wileys work there is also a clear gunshot wound in the mans side as well as what seems like nails and a pair of a plier sort of tool at the feet. Wileys work also presents bright florals while the original painting does not. I think that Wiley uses religious artworks as inspiration as a way to bring to light some of the parallels that are seen today of persecutions of African Americans, and those of the time of christ. Wiley uses his art to demonstrate the injustices many black people face today, especially in America. BLM has been a monument movement in the United States and I think Wileys work expresses the magnitude and importance of the movement. His work emphasizes the need of justice in the untied states, that these pictures should not need to be painted but due to injustice they must be. I think it was perfectly summed up in the quote For all their visual engagement with and meditation on the Passion, Christians at large have proven deficient in their willingness to mourn the suffering and death of black brothers and sisters. Maybe, just maybe, gazing on a dead black Christ could produce more empathy in us when we see news photos of black people whose lives have been taken from them. Maybe these paintings can lead us into lament"