http://www.newciv.org/nl/newslog.php/_d112/_v112/__show_article/_a000112-000026.htm

New Civilization Network

12 Aug 2002 @ 20:36 by koravya : Our Lady
I've lived in New Mexico for barely two years now.
The culture for veneration of Our Lady of Guadelupe is strong here.
A year and a half ago, a Los Angeles based computer graphics artist was part of a four person show at the New Mexico State Museum of International Folk Art. One of her pictures was a re-imaging of the traditional humble, prayerful Mother, as a proud young woman with her head held high, arms akimbo, wearing a sumptuous garland of roses around her breasts and a full covering of roses around her womanhood, in the manner of those old two piece bathing suits from the 50s. Nothing disrespectful to her womanhood, just a proud young woman. Some members of the traditional Catholic community were seriously offended. There were demonstrations and meetings, demands for removal of the offending images, and counterdemands for the rights of free speech.
The evolution of the image spirit of womanhood continues.
Things change. Always she is there.
The artist's name is Alma Lopez, and I visited her site about that time, to develop a broader understanding of what she is about.
She is certainly about more than just that one image.
 
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13 Aug 2002 @ 02:41 by swan :

John, I have seen that image.
I thought it was great.
Our Lady, as I see her, wants to be seen. She is showing up in all kinds of ways. She wants to touch everyone. It is too bad that some Catholics are not able to see the beauty in that. I have developed a deep relationship with her over the past three years as I feel she is responsible for healing my body. I feel her presence always with me.
I went to an art show a couple of years ago where the energy and the images were uncomfortable to me. In the midst of all of that was a painting that someone had done of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When I saw her I thought, "If She can be present here so can I."