Art as Theology: A Conversation with Timothy P. Schmalz

Whenever an artistic depiction of Jesus makes the news, it tends to cause most orthodox Catholics to cringe. So imagine the surprise of many when Homeless Jesus, a sculpture depicting Christ asleep on a bench, was lauded by many religious writers and was even given a place in the Vatican. On today’s podcast, Michael is joined by artist Timothy P. Schmalz, creator of the Homeless Jesus sculpture that was recently blessed by Pope Francis and has been something of a media sensation. Mr. Schmalz discusses the statue’s rise to fame, the controversy in some places, and how his artwork is inspired by a great devotion to Christ.

Mr. Schmalz expresses a clear passion for the subjects of his work and he is often encouraged by writers as diverse as René Girard and Oscar Wilde. In his depiction of Homeless Jesus, he takes Matthew 25 as his inspiration to show Christ among us in the most humble of circumstances, which can as be seen in his work Whatsoever You Do. Listen to this latest podcast to learn more about this brilliant artist and how art can still be a source of inspiration and a means of Evangelization.