Description And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20 The 99%, immigrants, the poor. The story of jesus' birth is key to a major theme in art history. The slaughter of innocence. The side to the story that is joyful, is among the many boys supposedly murdered one very important child survived. Who can say what are the reasons for some to have nothing and suffer oppression. If you believe in miracles, they are beyond reason. The story depicted hear is of the berth of a man who could not be forgotten. If you are poor or have little no that the many of the greatest persons in the world knew suffering. There families knew suffering. Some of the greatest who were not known or perhaps never will be, have know such suffering and given as much to the ones they loved or those God bound them to interact with. Look closely. It is not difficult to imagine this the image of migrant field workers, or refugees from modern tribal genocide, post depression migrants, or dust bowl era survivors. There is suffering, and there is joy in the survival, and those who know the the value of survival know the value of celebrating life. God grant us the strength to keep our hearts open to the poor, and the poor in spirit. Who knows who may reach up from the dirt. There is a tradition in art such as this. The tradition is in believing. Believing there is something pure, something that people will suffer to protect that has value past the rhetoric of Kings, or politicians, or gold. As we grow old and get jaded, as we get ground up, by the cold nature of survival, it's easy to turn away from believing in the child. But really the child is us, and the question is will we believe in magic of the creation of mankind. Is it worth it? Are we worth it? I invite you this holiday to celebrate the miracle of life and the ways we are blessed. Sometimes really I don't know if I can, but I'm willing try. Merry Christmas.
Michael R. A. Garcia, Garden Grove Member Since August 2011 Artist Statement Legally blind, Michael's creative vision was developed in the study of Classical and modern theatrical literature. His extensive experience in stage performance and direction led to an appreciation of light and composition. After his hereditary condition caused him to stop working in theaters he started focusing his creative energies towards graphic arts and music development. Always aiming at metaphor, social politics and spirituality in his early creative work this expressive medium permitted him a creative bridge to the exproration of light and perspective. The recent nine years have been riffled with turmoils and a extraordinary personal experience with Yahweh and Christ. "How man is connected to world events and to history through the spirit is a mystery that always seems just beyond definition, beyond expression. Mine is an art that does not excuse my own moral sloth. My work demands of me a choice. Though the ambiguity in enigma of it's expression gives room for the viewer to have their own journey. It is intriguing to me what values others project on the the matters or subjects in my work but there is a hope that budges in a direction of well, see for yourself.