Call For Entries: Madonna and Child | Interpretations

Motherhood and/or caregiving is a profound aspect of the human experience and Madonna and Child works appear in many global religions, cultures, and styles including Roman Catholicism, Queen Ankhnes-meryre II and her son, Pepy II from Egypt, and Guanyin and Child (an East Asian deity of mercy, and a bodhisattva). Artworks of the Christ Child and his mother Mary are far-reaching and iconic. Often in these depictions, Mary appears much larger than other participants, symbolic of her exalted status.

Contemporary Madonna and Child works need not be traditional representations of Mary and Jesus, but can be abstracted to the point of minimalism. Traditionally paintings, altars, and sculpture depict the Madonna and Child, but experimentation and non-traditional media are encouraged. Pieces should include a larger mother figure (the Madonna) and a smaller child like figure (the Child) and do not require a religious context. Additional research on the Madonna and Child concept is highly recommended. All media will be accepted.