Friday, November 30, 2012

Protest at National Gallery

The National Gallery is showing two pictures by Richard Hamilton of Our Lady naked. I don't know if they are being deliberately provocative, though I'm sure the thought of how 'daring' they are gives them a little frisson. I suspect their main thought is just one of indifference to us, to God, and to His Blessed Mother.

The point is that until very recently they would have recognised that these were unacceptably insensitive. At this moment in our history as a nation the artistic elite seems to think they should make up for not being able to criticise Islam by kicking Catholics. This has got to stop. It will stop, if we make enough of a fuss. So I think this, below, is an excellent idea.

---------------

Many of you will be aware that the National Gallery has chosen to exhibit two offensive depictions of Our Lady as part of an homage to recently deceased British artist Richard Hamilton. As part of the exhibition, which runs until 13 January, 'The Passage of the Angel to the Virgin' (2007) and 'An Annunciation' (2005) show Our Lady nude and in a sexually suggestive pose. The former also depicts the Archangel Gabriel as a woman.

Apart from being blasphemous and offensive this is a direct attack on Christians and the Mother of God. The Director of the National Gallery, Nicholas Penny, thinks he can get away with it because, unlike the Muslims, we Christians are push-overs. He is wrong. This is what you can do to prove it:

Join us at 2 pm on Saturday 8th December, Feast of Our Lady's Immaculate Conception, to pray a rosary of reparation by the 'artworks' . NB This is a peaceful witness

If you can, please complain in writing to the Director, Nicholas Penny, at The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN or information@ng-london.org.uk

Read Francis Phillips' piece in the Catholic Herald (http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2012/10/29/artists-should-be-the-guardians-of-beauty-not-purveyors-of-the-voyeuristic/)

PLEASE ASSEMBLE SHORTLY BEFORE 2 PM ON SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER IN THE SUNLEY ROOM (MAIN BUILDING). ADMISSION IS FREE BUT DO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO DEPOSIT BAGS/UMBRELLAS IN THE CLOAKROOM.

3 comments:

  1. It might also be useful to ask the Pontifical Council for Culture to review its policy of loaning pictures to the Gallery, and also to make a protest.

    Pontificium Consilium de Cultura
    V-00120 Vatican City
    Telephone: +39 06 6989 3811
    Fax: +39 06 6988 7368 or 7165
    E-mail: cultura@cultura.va

    ReplyDelete
  2. My only fear with a gathering such as you describe, which may well attract some press coverage, is that it might induce people to go and look at these images for all the wrong reasons. When I was in the NG the other day, the ticketing area for the Richard Hamilton show was empty. Normally it is thronging with people. I don't think this is a blockbuster exhibition. I would be a little wary of giving it too much free publicity.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You might also add to any letter the point that Our Lady, under the name of Miryam, is also venerated by Muslims, and is the only woman mentioned by name in the Koran.

    ReplyDelete