San Miguel Allende’s Finest Iconographer, Only One

ICONOGRAPHER

Miller, might be San Miguel Allende’s Finest Iconographer, Only One. She has been steeped in the icon painting tradition for 25 years. On facebook and this blog she has found new places to share insights about the strict tradition unearthed from being an iconograper. The challenge and commitment has not dulled her sense of humor either.

On the contrary she is quickly becoming a catalyst for change. She thinks the bible can be thought of as hugely misogynistic, limiting the voices of women and for good reason? No, the men who wrote the words were not particularly bad guys. In the first century women were not simply discriminated against, but often silenced, ostracized and limited in what they could participate in openly. Yet, there are many subtle short overlooked slogans for women to regain their rightful place; as an example the Apostle Paul said ‘women should learn’.

And Women should Speak

These few words actually become quite revolutionary given the environment in which they were said. The instruction was issued within a society which didn’t educate women. It seems to me Christ was trying to balance the bad social norms with a new mind, and new attitude towards women. We simply have not been able to grasp it even today. Women  throughout society, and in the field of iconography are still but a small voice. 1,500 years ago women, right up to 100 years ago, were not considered clean enough to paint sacred icons. Women have been waiting nearly 2,000 years to be given an equal but different place in the kingdom. Women have always continually nurtured others, cared for the sick, fed the poor, served meals, made babies and general cared for humanity. ‘Men of God ‘ it is time for you to adjust and bend and give guidance to bring Christs’ directives of love and equality into fruition for both genders.

Mary Magdalene Icon

Today new insights into women like Mary Magdalene , the Mother of Jesus, and ancient scripture are challenging our contemporary gender landscape. Art and image are powerful tools to bring about that change. Things to do in San Miguel Allende; Visit the studio of San Miguel Allende’s Finest Iconographer, Only One, Mary Jane Miller. The collection is extensive and the conversation is more than surprising.