Homeless Jesus

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Homeless Jesus (also known as Jesus the Homeless) is a bronze sculpture created by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. The work depicts Christ as a homeless person sleeping on a bench. Schmalz, a devout Catholic, installed his first Homeless Jesus at Regis College University of Toronto in 2013. Since then, hundreds of copies of the work have been installed worldwide, including one at the Vatican in Rome. Charleston's Homeless Jesus was sponsored by St. Marks United Methodist Church in 2014. It was the eighth copy of the statue to be created and installed.

Images

Charleston's Homeless Jesus in front of St Marks United Methodist Church.

Bench, Outdoor bench, Street furniture, Outdoor furniture

Pope Francis blesses a copy of Homeless Jesus at the Vatican.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Homeless Jesus depicts a life-size Christ sleeping on a bench. The figure clings to a blanket and its facial features are obscured. The only indicators that the figure in the work is Christ are the stigmata on his feet, left there by the Crucifixion. The figure's ostensible anonymity is an important aspect of the piece. It is designed to encourage the viewer to see themselves in the figure's place and reflect on the belief that Christ is everyone. The work is also a visual translation of Matthew 25:40 when Christ tells his followers "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."1

Timothy Schmalz created the work by first sculpting a clay model. A mold was then made from the model, and used to cast bronze copies of the work. Following the installation of the first Homeless Jesus at Regis College, University of Toronto, international attention surrounded the work. As statues began to spread globally, coverage was amplified by a number of news stories where concerned residents called emergency services upon witnessing the works. Additionally, reactions to the sculptures were mixed. Some felt that the works are a poignant reminder of Christian values, while others felt that they were off-putting or distasteful. Pope Francis fell into the former category of people, and had a copy of Homeless Jesus installed at the Vatican in Rome. Charleston's Homeless Jesus was the eighth statue to be cast and installed, which positioned the city on the frontline of a burgeoning movement.

Sources

Baluk, Kaitlin Wynia. 'Homeless Jesus' Sculpture goes viral after 911 call, The Conversation. October 27th 2020. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://theconversation.com/homeless-jesus-sculpture-goes-viral-after-911-call-148609.

Burnett, John. Statue Of A Homeless Jesus Startles A Wealthy Community, NPR. May 13th 2014. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/302019921/statue-of-a-homeless-jesus-startles-a-wealthy-community.

Downtown Charleston gets ‘Homeless Jesus’ statue, West Virginia Press. November 24th 2014. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://wvpress.org/copydesk/insight/downtown-charleston-gets-homeless-jesus-statue/.

Gately, Gary. Timothy Schmalz's sculptures are 'only as shocking as the Gospels', National Catholic Reporter. August 8th 2020. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://www.ncronline.org/news/media/timothy-schmalzs-sculptures-are-only-shocking-gospels.

Gutman, Davis. ‘Homeless Jesus’ statue installed in downtown Charleston, Charleston Gazette-Mail. October 27th 2017. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/homeless-jesus-statue-installed-in-downtown-charleston/article_8d623346-3a68-5558-a9db-9f940a889f46.html#:~:text=Charleston%20is%20the%20fifth%20American,this%20year%20in%20North%20Carolina..

‘Homeless Jesus’ statue designed to raise awareness, Charleston Gazette-Mail. October 27th 2017. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/homeless-jesus-statue-designed-to-raise-awareness/article_cc6c813e-8747-5f98-a4b5-e08826971824.html.

1. Matthew 25:40, Bible Hub. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://biblehub.com/matthew/25-40.htm.

Schmalz, Timothy. About, Sculpture by Timothy P. Schmalz. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://www.sculpturebytps.com/about-the-artist/.

Williams, David. A realistic 'Homeless Jesus' statue sparks conversation -- and a visit from police, CNN. October 16th 2020. Accessed December 14th 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/16/us/homeless-jesus-police-trnd/index.html.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Office of Public Art, Charleston WV. Accessed December 15, 2020. https://gisweb.cityofcharleston.org/storymaps/arttour/#.

Sculpture by Timothy P. Schmalz. Accessed December 15, 2020. https://www.sculpturebytps.com/portfolio_page/homeless-jesus/.