The Man Born Blind, African Mafa.

The Scripture

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means "Sent"). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." "How then were your eyes opened?" they asked. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said.

About the Art

The painting was created by the Mafa people, a north Cameroun ethnic group, who wish to have an African representation of the Gospel. The most important New Testament scenes for liturgical and catechetical use are selected and then adapted to be played by the village people. The sketches are photographed and drawn. After a careful and detailed study JESUS MAFA paintings are executed by a french artist chosen for her fine and deep perception of religious and african spirits. The creation of a black Christ in Africa does not diminish at all the historical Christ, on the contrary, it enrichies the universal meaning of the message of God.

Looking at the Art

• Is there a story the artist seems to be telling?
• What does the artwork tell me about the subject?
• What does it tell me about the artist?
• If I had made this artwork how would I explain it to others?
• What does this art mean to me?