Mary Reimagined
© Ernesto Beckford, Chadds Ford PA (2021-2025)
Artists have long depicted the Madonna in diverse forms, reflecting evolving theological, cultural, and artistic narratives. Early Christian and Byzantine masters presented Mary with regal authority as the Theotokos (God-bearer), embodying a society striving for higher knowledge. In contrast, medieval and Renaissance artists emphasized her humanity, portraying her with maternal tenderness and deep emotional connection as a response to shifting societal values. In Mary Reimagined, I draw upon this rich artistic history, using Mary as a vessel to explore modern themes of identity, transformation, and the sacred within everyday life.
Iconic
In "Iconic," Mary is depicted with bold, intricate patterns and a modern, contemplative expression. Her traditional robes are adorned with elaborate, golden details, while her face is overlaid with contemporary motifs. This collage captures the fusion of the sacred and the contemporary, celebrating Mary as an enduring icon whose relevance continues to evolve across different cultures and eras.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 12 x 17 in. / Framed 7 x 22 in.
Completed 2024
Waiting for Bus No. 2
This collage presents Mary in a strikingly modern and secular setting—a bus stop. She is portrayed three times, in different variations, each one echoing traditional iconography with halos but dressed in contemporary attire. This piece reflects the idea of Mary as a timeless figure who can be found in the everyday experiences of modern life, waiting patiently amidst the ordinary.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 18 x 15.5 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2024
Unbound Dreams
In this collage, Mary is depicted standing against a surreal landscape. The use of bright colors and abstract forms suggests a dreamlike state, where the boundaries between the sacred and the secular blur. Mary appears as a figure of hope and aspiration, unbound by the constraints of traditional religious imagery, inviting viewers to explore new possibilities for spiritual expression in a modern context.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels, rope))
Size: 11 x 20 in. / Framed 15 x 24 in.
Completed 2024
Devil in Details
At the center of this piece is a richly adorned Mary, surrounded by both angelic and demonic figures that represent the complexities of faith. The intricate details of her clothing and the interplay of light and shadow highlight the moral ambiguities of contemporary spirituality. The coexistence of good and evil around her emphasizes an ongoing struggle—not merely between purity and corruption, but rather about the need for discernment in a world that defies easy categorization.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels, bits or rope)
Size: 9.5 x 17 in / Currently Unframed
Completed 2024
Mirror Reflection
This collage features Mary alongside a figure in modern attire, both appearing as reflections of each other. The piece explores the duality of identity, suggesting that Mary's image is not just a relic of the past but also a mirror through which modern women can see themselves. The interaction between the two figures symbolizes the ongoing dialogue between history and the present.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor)
Size: 14 x 11 in. / Currently Unframed - Completed 2024
Flower Child
Mary appears serene yet immersed in an abstract world of blooming flora and swirling patterns. The butterflies and flowers in her hair evoke a connection to nature, not as a symbol of innocence but of vitality and regeneration. The piece bridges classical iconography with contemporary aesthetics, inviting the viewer to see Mary as an emblem of enduring grace, unconfined by era or tradition.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 13 x 14.5 in. / Framed 18 x 22 in.
Completed 2023
Building Stained Glass
This collage merges the traditional stained-glass depiction of Mary with modern architectural elements. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns of the stained glass are set against a grayscale urban environment, symbolizing the clash and coexistence of the sacred and the secular. The piece evokes the idea that sacredness can be found even in the most unexpected places.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 13 x 10 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2023
Living Room Window
Seated in a modern interior, Mary exists between two realms—one of domestic familiarity, the other of transcendent stillness. The view beyond the window presents a serene and distant landscape, reinforcing her presence as both an intimate companion and an eternal observer. This piece reimagines Mary not as a figure of the past but as a quiet force within the rhythm of daily life.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 14 x 15 in. / Framed 19 x 23 in.
Completed 2023
Aura
This collage depicts Mary with a child, set against a backdrop that merges sacred traditions with vibrant contemporary patterns. Instead of portraying her as a distant figure of devotion, the piece encourages viewers to see Mary as a deeply personal, evolving symbol of care, strength, and maternal protection that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pencil, pastels)
Size: 10.5 x 12.5 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2024
Astonishment
Mary is depicted with a mixture of wonder and weariness, surrounded by butterflies and flowers. The cracked texture of her face recalls the wear and tear of ancient frescoes, yet the vibrant elements suggest renewal rather than decay. The interplay between natural forms and her expression invites reflection on fleeting beauty and timeless emotion.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor)
Size: 13 x 14.5 in. / Framed 18 x 22 in.
Completed 2023
Light and Dark
“Light and Dark” envisions Mary as a figure of cultural convergence, embodying the contrasts between East and West. When the sun rises in the East, the moon sets in the West, mirroring the dualities that shape our world. This collage blends images from traditional European paintings with Japanese prints, layering shades of the same color to evoke light, dark, and shadow. Mary holds a globe, symbolizing the vastness of human experience, while the surreal composition captures the push and pull of different cultures that coexist on this Earth.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 13 x 16 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2024
Swimming in Colors
Mary and her companion—perhaps Martha—are immersed in a sea of vibrant, modern hues, caught between contemplation and ecstasy. Bold splashes of electric tones and dynamic strokes create movement, as if suspended in light, dissolving into a dreamlike space. The tension between classical forms and the pulsating, contemporary palette transforms Mary from an icon of stillness into an alive, fluid, and ever-changing presence.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 17 x 11.5 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2023
Unconventional
Mary emerges as a striking and enigmatic presence, adorned in rich, geometric fabrics and an elaborate headpiece. Her gaze is direct—not distant or ethereal, but engaged, as if she sees you and seeks to speak. The contrast between historical elegance and bold, modern sensibility presents a Mary who is neither passive nor static but a figure of presence, mystery, and transformation.
Paper Collage (paper on paper)
Size: 17.5 x 21 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2024
Flemish Anatomy Art
This collage portrays Mary through a fusion of Flemish portraiture and scientific illustration, bridging faith and knowledge. The traditional veil and serene expression evoke classical religious iconography, while anatomical diagrams expose the inner workings of the body, suggesting a deeper exploration of human existence. This interplay between sacred devotion and scientific inquiry challenges the division between spirituality and reason, presenting Mary as both a divine figure and a symbol of human understanding. The collage redefines her as a patron of wisdom, where faith and intellect coexist.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels))
Size: 11 x 12 in. / Framed 16 x 18 in.
Completed 2023
Billboard Botticelli
“Billboard Botticelli” transforms Mary through a fusion of Renaissance elegance and urban decay. The classical beauty of Botticelli's portrait is layered with torn paper, text, and fragmented imagery, evoking the impermanence of advertisements on a weathered city wall. This juxtaposition challenges the notion of Mary as an untouchable icon, instead placing her in the flux of modern life—both revered and constantly reinterpreted. The collage speaks to the tension between the eternal and the ephemeral, capturing Mary's presence in both history and contemporary culture.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels))
Size: 10 x 12 in. / Framed 15 x 19 in.
Completed 2023
The Bath
“The Bath” presents Mary in an intimate, human moment—stepping out of a bath, draped in flowing towels and robes. This depiction strips away the layers of idealized sanctity, revealing a serene yet vulnerable presence. The interplay of fabric and water evokes purification and renewal, themes often associated with Mary, while the domestic setting grounds her in the everyday. By placing Mary in this quiet, contemplative moment, the collage redefines her as sacred and profoundly human, bridging the divine and the ordinary.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 10 x 17 in. / Currently Unframed.
Completed 2023
The Bridal Party
“The Bridal Party” envisions Mary in a contemporary, yet symbolic, setting. The bashful bride in white embodies Mary's purity and quiet strength. At the same time, the lively bridesmaid—perhaps Martha or another close companion—adds a dynamic contrast, suggesting the duality of devotion and earthly joy. Cupid lurking in the shadows nods to the ever-present tension between sacred and secular, reminding us that even in spaces of reverence, echoes of the pagan and the playful persist. This reinterpretation places Mary in a realm where tradition, modernity, faith, and frivolity coexist in a richly textured narrative.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 11 x 11 in. / Framed 17 x 16 in.
Completed 2023
Focus of Attention
This collage depicts Mary as a modern woman, merging past artistic traditions with contemporary identity. Her face, borrowed from a classical archangel, suggests divine presence and strength, while her seated posture and bold red attire root her firmly in the present. The juxtaposition of medieval iconography with modern fashion transforms her into a figure of contemplation and resilience—feminine yet powerful, sacred yet accessible. This reinterpretation challenges traditional depictions, presenting Mary as both a warrior and a thoughtful presence, bridging historical reverence with modern femininity.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 10 x 12 in. / Framed 15 x 20 in.
Completed 2022
Flame Goddess
This collage reimagines Mary as an almost Asian deity, blending elements of classical Marian iconography with a strikingly contemporary vision. The figure's serene yet powerful gaze, coupled with an ornate golden and blue robe, evokes traditional depictions of the Virgin. At the same time, the fiery crown-like halo suggests divine energy and transformation. By incorporating Asian-inspired aesthetics, the piece highlights the universal appeal of sainthood and spirituality, transcending cultural and religious boundaries to present Mary as an emblem of strength, grace, and mysticism across traditions.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels)
Size: 12 x 19 in. / Currently Unframed
Saints and Immigrants
The collage depicts angels as immigrants huddling against a border fence, separated from their destination. The colors are reminiscent of church alter paintings, yet the scene is lifted from contemporary history. Just like the immigrants and refugees today, these young angels are desperately trying to break free. Yet the fence is impenetrable to them.
Mixed Media Collage (paper on black canvas, with watercolor)
Size: 12 x 16 in. / Currently Unframed
Completed 2024