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THE KANSAS CITY STAR.
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2013
FYI
ART | Collection numbers about 240
THE FACES OF JESUS Broadway Church offers hundreds of artists’ images, some familiar, some provocative, of the ‘Man From Galilee.’
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the cross about to give birth. o think a minute. How “People either love that or hate many times have you it,” said Smith, 75, guiding visitors seen Jesus depicted as around the narrow halls and laughing? stairwells. No, the old Swedish Eyes lit, showing his Baptist Church was not designed teeth, like Mary Magdalene had to be a spacious, well-lit art galjust cracked a great joke or Peter lery, but then, in which place had tripped overboard into his would you be more likely to meet nets again. Jesus, anyway? At the Broadway Church in The permanent exhibit, which Westport, four “laughing Jesus” runs up and down staircases and portraits by different artists can into the sanctuary, is be found banded divided into four together at the end parts: The Human of a hall. The earliFace of God, The est was published in Many Moods of the Playboy in the early Master, The Risen 1970s. The explanaCosmic Christ and tion on the wall: The Face of Jesus in “This is a totally Every Person. new image of Jesus. DLEVINGS@KCSTAR.COM “The pictures help There is simply no us see Jesus as a tradition of mirth in person, a human being like every Christian art. It’s about time.” one of us,” said Smith, who said They are just a sliver of a prohe has come to believe that Jesus vocative collection of Christ was not sent to die for the sins of pictures, some passed down as mankind. “I decided God’s not copies from antiquity, others going to send anybody to hell. original religious art picked up God’s not mad at anybody.” here and there by Paul Smith. Almost all have wall text, Smith, who retired in Decemwhich gives the viewer a little ber after 49 years as pastor of the history and Smith’s take on the uber-liberal church, wrote the image. wall text, too. He points out the many prints About 240 versions of Jesus by Dali, Picasso — “Here’s Warhang here, almost certainly the hol’s ‘Last Supper.’ He went to biggest gathering of his image in Mass every morning.” — as well the city. Some are comfortable as Rembrandt, Raphael, Titian. A old friends from the walls of crucifixion by Edvard Munch Sunday school. “Head of Christ” (better known for “The by Warner Sallman sold 450 Scream”). Another small one by million copies of the rather Gauguin. An earlier piece by bland, blue-eyed savior. William Blake, “Albion Before Smith said 10 percent are originals, some a tad mind-blowing, such as the pregnant woman on SEE JESUS | C8
DARRYL LEVINGS
SEE JESUS | C8
FOR KEY IDENTIFYING ALL THE IMAGES OF JESUS Faces ofAJesus HERE AND ON C8, SEE PAGE C7.
BLACK BAR REFER OR GADGET GOES HERE. | XY
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THE KANSAS CITY STAR.
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2013
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." - John 3:16
JESUS: Largest image is a quilt FROM C1
Christ Crucified.” While he does not care much for the flat-faced Orthodox icons, the mystical finds many places on the walls. Smith, who received his master of divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has become more mystical himself, he says. He admires the work of Alex Gray. Smith points out a small, easyto-miss copy of graffito found scratched on a Rome wall. The Christian (Jesus?) on the cross has the head of a donkey. It may be the earliest known depiction. It’s next to the face from the Shroud of Turin. A few feet away is the largest image — a life-size, naked and suffering Christ, powerful in its unique quilt medium. Lent by Janet Patek, a local quilter, “Eli, Eli” was created in 1990s. Still, so many different artists, old and new, focus on the crucifixion: one looked straight down in a God’s-eye view. Andrea Mantegna’s riveting 15th-century “The Lamentation Over the Dead Christ” cast the viewer’s eye
VIEWING THE COLLECTION You can view the Faces of Jesus gallery from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Broadway Church, 3931 Washington St., but call ahead. Appointments for guided tours at other times can also be made. The phone number is 816-561-3274.
almost between the bloodless Jesus’ pierced feet, and Picasso … well … you tell me. Smith is proud of the breadth of his collection, which reflects his own broadmindedness. “I have people from all over the country to see it,” he said. “They may not remember my sermons, but they’ll remember my pictures … although some of my sermons were pretty controversial, too.” To reach Darryl Levings, call 816-234-4689 or email levings@kcstar.com.
KEITH MYERS | THE KANSAS CITY STAR
About 240 images of Jesus hang in the hallways of the Broadway Church at 39th Terrace and Broadway. They are the collection of retired pastor Paul Smith.
FAITH Q+A: WHY DO PILGRIMAGES HOLD A PLACE IN RELIGION? | C7
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