The Goddess

My friend Rhapsody sent me a link to a neo-modernist painting entitled "Blessed Art Thou" by Katie Kretz representing Angelina Jolie in a glorified pose similar to the Madonna. Rhapsody didn't like it. Ms. Kretz gives a fine narrative on the painting on her blog however, a portion of which I have posted here:

"This painting addresses the celebrity worship cycle. The title, “Blessed Art Thou”, is taken from a line in the Catholic prayer “Hail Mary”: “…blessed art thou among women”. Our culture is deifying celebrities, but in the bible, it is the meek who are blessed, so the title presents a question for the viewer to ponder.

I chose a setting where the cycle begins: psychologically oppressive environments like this one are one of the feeding sources for the consumer, hungry for “information” about the celebrity's private life. I am interested in the psychological ramifications of celebrity worship, particularly as they relate to class.

Angelina Jolie was chosen as the subject because of her unavoidable presence in the media, the world-wide anticipation of her child, her "unattainable" beauty and the good that she is doing in the world through her example, which adds another layer to the already complicated questions surrounding her status." The Studio -the artist's blog.

I have to say I like the piece - I wish I would have thought of it. (As with my own art, I wouldn't want to live with the painting however - I'm not a big fan of Jolie.) Michael Jackson has a painting of himself as a god with cherubs surrounding him, although he commissioned it I am sure. Angelina Jolie did not. I don't know what Jolie thinks of herself, but I'm sure she knows she is not a goddess. Although the artist has made a valid study of how our culture glorifies celebrity. When they use their fame and influence for charitable and political ends, as Jolie and others do, they take on an aura of virtue and near holiness in the eyes of many fans.

Is this because many people in our culture lack a real faith, or authentic religion? Or maybe because the traditional saints - living and dead - no longer captivate the imagination and devotion of the average person. In our materialistic culture, the rich and famous, along with their luxurious and extravagant lifestyle, so highly publicized in all media, maybe represent the heaven on earth so many people desire and expect in this life - convinced, as everyone seems to be, we are all going to heaven anyway.

In my opinion, this is good art asking valid questions, reflecting a cultural phenomenon. Is it great art? Maybe not in the class of Raphael - yet it is in a class with Tooker, French and Cadmus. Is it blasphemous or anti-Catholic? Not at all!

(If I were Brad Pitt, I'd buy it for Angelina - it's not that expensive at $50,000.00)