By Corinne Murdock |
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) selected an anti-Christian art piece as the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition.
The piece, titled “Chokehold,” depicts a blonde, curly-haired woman being choked with a scarred cross on her forehead. According to the artist, recent Nogales High School graduate Grecia Solorio, the drawing signifies the “damaging effects of purity culture on women,” referencing Christian values specifically. The piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
“I’d like to thank everyone who submitted their art for the competition this year and want to congratulate Grecia on this impressive accomplishment,” said Grijalva. “The depth of talent and range of artistic styles are inspiring and each participant should be proud of their work. I look forward to welcoming Grecia to Washington and viewing her art in the U.S. Capitol.”
Solorio will also be brought to the Capitol and honored at a congressional reception for her work.
In the 22nd Annual Juried Exhibition, Solorio said in an artist statement that she was happy that artwork allowed her to disrespect the sacred aspects of Christian religion. Solorio added that her work represented a rejection of the patriarchal customs of Hispanic-American culture and society.
“Throughout my life, I was taught that freedom was the most important thing for a human being to possess. However, I learned that in order to feel free, I needed to confront my belief-based fears, and continuously fight back against the patriarchal customs that were introduced to me by my culture and by society,” stated Solorio. “I find my freedom through art, most specifically in creating artwork that allows me to be irreverent. The religion I defied as my first act of personal freedom, serves as inspiration for my feminist work. I strive to combine both topics, not to intertwine them, but rather to point out the hypocrisies of the prior and create an impactful view into issues of the latter.”
Solorio also received Best of Show for the piece during an art show last month displaying high school students’ work, “Hi-Art.” The piece was also displayed last November in ArtLink’s 22nd Annual Juried Exhibition, one of the largest group artist exhibitions in the state.
ArtLink partners include Valley Metro, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona Center, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the city of Phoenix, Arizona Strategies, Arizona Public Service, and FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel.
Another of Solorio’s pieces depicted motherhood as slavery. The piece, titled “Modern Madonna,” displayed a breastfeeding, crying mother with a chain around her neck, with the saying underneath, “La maternidad será deseada o no será,” a saying that translates to, “Motherhood will be desired or will not be” — a statement in support of abortion.
Solorio plans on attending the School of Art Institute of Chicago.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
