Our Lady Of Controversy Summary
The image of “Our Lady of Controversy” presented by Alma Lopez carries powerful imagery invoking activism and expression. Compared to the original Virgin Mary Alma Lopez’s version presents a strong looking woman as opposed to usually being seen as conforming and gentle. There are multiple symbols that supply significant meanings for Chicana Feminists. The original Virgin Mary’s facial expression is dramatically different than Lopez’s version. Controversial Mary doesn’t look soft and conforming, she appears to be very strong willed and fierce. This is an important trait because it shows that women are no longer the compliant people they used to be, they’ve developed and are ready for much more. The boxing gloves signify she’s ready to fight
for whatever she believes in and not go down without a fight. Women have been submissive to anything men threw at them since the beginning of time. Alma is presenting the fact that woman will no longer bow down to every rule placed upon them by the men of society, they will fight for their rights to recognized as an equal contributor to society. Opposed the real Virgin Mary’s image being covered up from head to toe, Alma offers her version of Mary showing more than half of her body, only covering her private parts with rainbow flowers. This holds two significant symbols, the fact that she’s showing a big percentage of her body lets the viewer know that woman are freeing their sexuality and cutting the locks placed on it by society. The second symbol is the rainbow colored flowers used to cover her; this indicates the LGBT community will no longer be ashamed of their desires because of the rules placed on them by Christianity as well as society. The butterfly with the naked woman sprouting out carrying the Virgin Mary shows a new beginning for woman. The generation of woman that follows will no longer be under the socially constructed guidelines that dictate whether a woman is “decent” or not.
Women all over the world will continue to evolve and deter away from civilization's standards. This image provides a few of the many great changes taking place in society as of now.
for whatever she believes in and not go down without a fight. Women have been submissive to anything men threw at them since the beginning of time. Alma is presenting the fact that woman will no longer bow down to every rule placed upon them by the men of society, they will fight for their rights to recognized as an equal contributor to society. Opposed the real Virgin Mary’s image being covered up from head to toe, Alma offers her version of Mary showing more than half of her body, only covering her private parts with rainbow flowers. This holds two significant symbols, the fact that she’s showing a big percentage of her body lets the viewer know that woman are freeing their sexuality and cutting the locks placed on it by society. The second symbol is the rainbow colored flowers used to cover her; this indicates the LGBT community will no longer be ashamed of their desires because of the rules placed on them by Christianity as well as society. The butterfly with the naked woman sprouting out carrying the Virgin Mary shows a new beginning for woman. The generation of woman that follows will no longer be under the socially constructed guidelines that dictate whether a woman is “decent” or not.
Women all over the world will continue to evolve and deter away from civilization's standards. This image provides a few of the many great changes taking place in society as of now.