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I
n celebration of the tenth anniversary of
Art and
Faith of the Crèche: The Collection of James and
Emilia Govan
at LUMA, a selection of the museum’s
beloved small-scale crèches will expand into the
Works on Paper Gallery. The exhibition will specifically
explore the various materials and techniques utilized by
artists from around the world to illustrate the figures,
themes, and joys of the Nativity.
The materials and techniques represented in this
exhibition are just as numerous and unique as the
countries represented in the Govan collection. Materials
range from common mediums, such as wood and clay,
to some unexpected objects, including corn husks,
handcrafted nails, coconuts, and even an ostrich egg.
The artistic traditions of various countries are honored
through the diverse use of indigenous mediums,
including ebony from Tanzania or
huamanga
stones from
Peru. Differing materials add unique dimensions to the
story of the Nativity. For example, the crèche on display
made of nails calls forth Christ’s suffering on the cross,
while the Alaskan crèche made of beaver fur evokes a
tangible and symbolic warmth.
The Craft of the Crèche:
Materials and
Techniques
Amanda Malmstrom
Images:
Alaska (USA),
n.d., Linda and Bruce Berget, Beaver fur, wood, cloth, The James and Emilia Govan Crèche Collection,
2013:06-109;
Haiti
, n.d., Unknown artist, Oil drum, painted tin, The James and Emilia Govan Crèche Collection, 2016:10-17;
Vietnam
, 2011, Unknown artist, Recycled paper (magazines), wood, cloth, and string, The James and Emilia Govan Crèche