"Flight to Egypt, The Holy Family" by Lisa Kirksey
Acrylic paint on birch wood panel
5" x 7" x 3/4"
The Flight to Egypt: Our Christian Holy Family was no stranger to suffering, oppression, and violent persecution. Here we see them leaving their homeland in fear, but with hope, becoming refugees in Egypt. The figure on the left, Salome, is the midwife who went with the family in Ethiopian tradition. This panel is small in size because it is displayed or worn, hanging from a humble rope or string, around the owner’s neck. When painted piously and prayerfully, it is considered to be a spiritual object for devotion and hopefully transcendence.
My hope is this icon will invite its viewers to open their hearts to pray for all strangers, immigrants, and refugees; those who live in fear; those who suffer violence, persecution, or oppression; or any who simply struggle to make their way in a foreign or challenging land.
Artist Bio: Lisa Kirksey has an academic background in Fine Art, Painting, drawing, and graphic design. She has Master's degrees from The University of South Florida Visual Arts department and The University of New Mexico Fine Art department. She got her B.F.A. in painting and illustration at The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Lisa taught college-level fine art classes in painting, drawing, figure drawing, and graphic design for many years before moving back to her beloved landscape in New Mexico.
Artist Statement: Painting or writing icons is new for me. It has drawn me into a whole new experience of painting as prayer and offers a final gift that will hopefully touch other people’s lives in an authentic way. Iconography is meant to be selfless and without ego. The iconographer copies an original work made ages ago while praying that God will direct their hands.
I think iconography is also a visual representation of what is in one’s personality and soul. It is how we think and feel. I hope my work speaks to a variety of people on a visual, spiritual, and introspective level. In this case, if the art I offer can inspire financial help for the refugees coming to us for sanctuary, then praise God!