Emilio Apontesierra-Paretti | UNDER MY SKIN: WE ARE ONE | June 25, 2023
Mixed Media-Paper Manipulation Technique and sustainable materials
St. Mary Magdalene and St. Martin Episcopalian Church. Coral Spring FL.
Artist Statement
I believe that humanity was created in the image of God, and I see the human body as the most powerful divine creation. This belief helps me integrate faith into my art. I love to share my art in the form of the human body, which is the temple, the church, and the home of my God.
I agree that God shows us in many forms and ways, and each of us calls our God by different names, yet I believe that God is ONE who loves and protects the divine creation. God’s believers are a community of faith, and we should not reject the sick or expel them from the community, we must be an instrument of healing and growth, we are all essential. God’s children should not attack those who are suffering but should enable them to find their way to healing and truth.
Faith communities should not become places that promote fear or misinformation. The truth and facts about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are simple and straightforward science. Stigma is based on fear and lack of knowledge. I believe that the faith community should never fear HIV or blame others, but that we could develop a basic understanding of this virus that for more than 40 years has been killing our brothers and sisters regardless of faith, religious affiliation, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, culture or country of origin, age, and any other labels we humans give ourselves.
I like to present Under my Skin: WE ARE ONE: It is my public art piece presented as a safe space at St. Mary Magdalene and St. Martin. Here members of the congregation and the wider community can integrate about God’s name to pray, love, and be the light of life for people who test positive for HIV and AIDS. Godly divine love is selfless and concerned with the well-being of the human body and all living beings; with my art I am trying to do the same. – Emilio Apontesierra-Paretti