BLOG

kevindouglasloftus.ca


Post#1

Jul 17, 2016 | Religion | 31,424 comments


The Nun Series

Why the Nuns?

Although I’m an atheist now, I was brought up in a Protestant family not a Catholic family – so why the obsession with the Catholic iconographies? Well, simply put, Protestants are boring! There is nothing quite like the “extras” you get with Catholicism – The Pope, Bishops, Cardinals, nuns, Catechism, Vatican City, etc. Simplified, Protestants believe that God reveals Himself through scripture and prayer, not tradition. For my purposes then, the more traditions and icons to represent visually, the better the subject for paintings. My work may appear at quick glance to be targeting certain religions – I assure you that is not my intention. My personal issues with religion is with all organised religions and not particular ones. However, to make individual statements or observations in paint on canvas, one must use specific images that are relatable to many. Over time my work will hopefully grow and shift, make broader statements, and include religions I have not yet visually depicted.

I started off this series of religious works with vintage-style sexy nuns for several reasons. I wanted to grab something from my sketch book that was (hopefully) of commercial appeal and would likely interest both male and female observers. I am certainly not the first to depict the “naughty nun” and am not attempting to break new ground from that angle. Another reason I chose to start with the nun image was that I wanted to juxtapose religious imagery with modern culture – since nuns usually live fairly sheltered lifestyles, in my personal experience it is uncommon to see a nun doing much more than walking casually down a street. I wanted to have a little fun pairing these sexy (yet still celibate?) nuns with vintage/modern imagery. One of the things that has intrigued me about Catholicism is the rules around sex and marriage, specifically restrictions on clergy and orders that follow oaths of celibacy/chastity, those that are not free to marry, and general limits/taboo on contraception use for all.

 

It seems odd that the push toward feminism/equal rights is arguably at its strongest in history yet these orders, such as monks and nuns, still exist. I understand the work they do and that the vows to poverty, obedience and celibacy/chastity help them with their charitable work and faith – but I can’t help but think these “rules” were written many, many years ago and no doubt written by men. If we didn’t have organised religious orders with vows of poverty, celibacy/chastity, or restrictions on marriage could we not still have selfless, altruistic charitable work done in the name of goodness?

Check out the nuns and other works in the RELIGION Gallery tab. What are your thoughts on this ongoing series of paintings? Leave a comment below


“I often contemplate the vast scope of philosophical thought, the boundless wonder of scientific discovery, and the profound power of art and language. When I contrast these thoughts and ideas to the teachings of any religion, I can think of only one word to describe the bible’s limitless supreme being and His creation of the limitless universe: limited.”

Kevin Douglas Loftus, visual artist

My work takes a satirical and sometimes serious view of religion, politics and other contemporary issues and puts them to canvas in a pop art style. I put my views and opinions about modern societal concerns out to the world to be dissected and discussed. My work is not intended to offend but rather to open people up to looking critically at their personal beliefs and challenge them to ask themselves why they hold strong to them. If archaic iconographies and ideologies won’t fade away then I intend to force them into relevance in the present and merge them with pop culture.

excerpt from Artist Statement


Post#1