My gallery, Gallery 9310, is closing this May, and I wanted to send out one more blog on one of my favorite pieces that will be shown in this last exhibition. I hope you enjoy it!
David LaChapelle’s Jesus Is My Homeboy series:
David LaChapelle, “Loves and Fishes,” 2003
David LaChapelle, “Intervention,” 2003
David LaChapelle created many color photographs focused on the topic of Jesus and His place, meaning, and the Truth He wished to share with the world in a series. The series consisted of several works, and I have chosen to focus specifically on two, but I am showing you six of them.
The purpose of LaChapelle taking these photos was to create a unique beauty that he felt can be found only through Jesus Christ. He wanted everyone to see that you do not have to be any specific color, race, ethnicity, or anything to be accepted and loved by Jesus.
Each photograph focused on Jesus on what He came to the world to do for us. No matter who you are.
David LaChapelle, “Anointing,” 2003
The common stereotype of a woman wearing platform heals is that she is a “whore” or a prostitute, an African-American wearing a flat-bill hat is automatically a gang member or a criminal, and the like. However, LaChapelle tries to eliminate these stereotypes by depicting these everyday people as healed, forgiven, loved, and accepted by Jesus Christ.
LaChapelle used normal, everyday people. The kind of people that everyone can relate to no matter what stage of life they are in or where they have come from or where they have been. He places these people depicted as prostitutes, gang members, ill and sick people into his paintings so that the audience might be able relate to each character or person depicted depending on which one they relate to the mostIy think LaChapelle wanted to escape the everyday stereotypes that we see played out in our society today.
David LaChapelle, “Evidence of a Miraculous Event,” 2003
He wanted the world to know that it is not just the “normal” people or the elite or “famous” people that are given the gift of free grace through Jesus Christ. Rather, it is for everyone. He wanted people to see in his art that Jesus came for every single, living, breathing human being so that they might have eternal life and spend eternity with Him. LaChapelle was very adamant about this in this series of photographs, and he wanted the world to know the Truth.
David LaChapelle, “Sermon,” 2003
These last two photographs in his series, Jesus Is My Homeboy, are the two that I really like, and also the two that really focus on what I have been writing about above. Jesus is the center or the focal point of the photograph, and the people around him are those who are listening to what He has to say as He tells stories and Biblical truths. I really like the vibrant colors and lighting in this photograph because it shines the light on what really matters, Jesus. He is the reason we have life, and in this photograph, the viewer can see it does not matter who you are, but Jesus calls all people to come unto Him and find peace and grace.
David LaChapelle, “Last Supper,” 2003
The Last Supper in the Bible is about Jesus spending His last meal with the twelve disciples before He was crucified. Once again, LaChapelle makes reference to the fact that it does not matter who you are, He wants to know you personally and intimately. The photograph shows some very similar characters as the photographs above, and the colors are still very vibrant, placing the main focal point on Jesus. There is a round, glowing halo around Jesus, and He is not wearing the same outfit as in the photographs above. Rather He is shown wearing light blue and white or just white under garments, unlike in this photograph where He is wearing red and blue. I think the reason He is wearing red and blue in this photograph is to emphasize future events, i.e. the Crucifixion and Resurrection. LaChapelle does a tremendous job in conveying the message and the Gospel of Jesus.
There are several verses that speak about what Jesus came for and who He came for. Below are a few of them:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7
“For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
There are a few music videos that I want to incorporate into this, and I think these songs in the music videos explain common stereotypes in the music industry. In the first video below you will hear a song from a band called RyFul which is composed of two white men that play what one might consider country. This is a common stereotype we face today – white people listen to country music and play country music. In the second video you will see African-American rappers singing about Jesus, and this is the common stereotype we think of when we hear rap music – African-American rappers. Listen to these two songs and their lyrics, and you might notice that they are both talking about Jesus and what He has done in their lives regardless of their race, ethnicity, etc. I think this is what LaChapelle really wants us to see through his photography, and I think he wants us to be aware that Jesus breaks the stereotypes that our society has set up.
http://bit.ly/1338GYk “Jesus Is My Homeboy” – RyFul
http://bit.ly/121Xc4J “Jesus Muzik” – LeCrae ft. Trip Lee
The last music video is below, and it really sums up everything LaChapelle’s point in Jesus being for everyone. Click the link below to view the video. Please watch this one!
http://bit.ly/121XGYB “Everything” – Lifehouse (Skit)
I really hope that you enjoyed these videos, photographs, and verses! I really enjoyed studying LaChapelle’s photography series, Jesus Is My Homeboy. It shines light on a very important topic, but one that not many people are open to talking about much. Thank you for following my blogs as I talk about all of my favorite pieces of art that have been exhibited in my gallery the past few months. I hope you have learned something new and been able to take from these blogs and their subject matter something that will help you!
The End.
Gallery 9310
-The Owner
Sources: http://bit.ly/YhLBiG
Gallery 9310 