Christine Sine talks to Kelly Latimore about life, God and iconography for Episode 11 of Liturgical Rebels.
Kelly Latimore, an iconographer, discusses his approach to iconography and the power of using art to address uncomfortable subjects. He combines classic Orthodox iconography with figures representing the marginalized and oppressed and believes icons to be windows to God and reflections of the image of God within us. Kelly and Christine discuss how his spirituality shifted from transcendence to engagement and embodiment through his experiences on a farm and working with the homeless. Latimore also discusses the response he has received from traditional iconographers and the importance of creating art that challenges and creates dialogue.
Takeaways
- Art, specifically icons, can be a powerful tool for addressing uncomfortable subjects and representing the marginalized and oppressed.
- Icons serve as windows to God and reflections of the image of God within us.
- Creating art that challenges traditional norms and creates dialogue is important for fostering change.
- Observing and contemplating artwork in community can lead to profound experiences and new ways of seeing God.
- The purpose of church art is to teach us how to observe and be still, fostering a deeper connection with God.
Kelly Latimore is an artist and iconographer from St. Louis, MO. He started painting icons in 2010 while a member of the Common Friars, a small monastic farming community in Athens, Ohio. Latimore’s icons often mix classic orthodox iconographic imagery with figures representing the marginalized and the oppressed among us here and now. Latimore’s icon “Refugees: La Sagrada Familia,” in which the flight to Egypt is interpreted as Latinx immigrants crossing the desert, adorns the cover of Pope Francis’s book “A Stranger and You Welcomed Me.” Latimore has also created a diverse array of icons of unexpected saints such as poet Mary Oliver, author James Baldwin, and TV host Mr. Rogers.