Mama Maryam

I was moved to honor this icon of Christianity by creating this sculpture after I saw a news story about churches in Nagasaki (one of two Japanese cities destroyed by atomic bombs during World War II). It showed footage of statues of the Virgin Mary that had been distorted and disfigured by the bombs, but still remained in the churches. I was so affected by their survival, and by the churches’ decision to honor the original statues, despite their deformity. Perhaps as symbols of resilience and survival against all odds. Or out of a deep respect for these original figures, and everything they had been through.