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Conservation in Context
The Evander Childs High School Murals Project

Our Interview with Manny Vega

This woman was Manny's spiritual Godmother in Brazil. Her name is Meneninha (which means little girl) Gantois (name if property where the temple she was a leader in was based on). She become his spiritual Godmother since they has the same birthday. She passed away 14 years ago. She has a lot of significance in the culture of Brazil. Manny has done many projects on her. He used mosaic tiles because it's the permanent art work media that'll last.

This isn't a commissioned work. He does this because he loves her and finds pleasure in his work.

Manny uses light and shadow 'cause he works like an impressionists. All the colors aid in his representation of his works. He chooses colors based on his perception of people. Manny said "I work like a child, I try to be spontaneous. I use the colors as I want with the work."

Shango—God of Fire and Lighting

This is an oil painting of Shango—God of Fire and Lighting—Nigeria (Yoruba). Manny said "I am trying to depict how this religion is practiced in different parts of the country and the world. He represents a deified ancestor. Shango is the deity of dance. I'd compare him to MC hammer-- the pants; he's flashy, like Puff Daddy. His presence demands authority and shows power." He's the deity of vengeance, symbolic of when his followers were persecuted. Now he's back for vengeance. Whenever there's a fire caused by lightening in a home causing death, the priest of Shango is called to cleanse the body.

The cowry shells are symbolic of money. Cowry was used as to bring money to some one in older days. Shango is showing his wealth as well.

Saint Barbara bears a resemblance to Shango because she wore red and white (colors that depicted Shango). People started to call her Shango because of the colors and it became a habit. This brought two different religions together.

The Bow and Arrow

The Bow and Arrow is the symbol of Manny 's guardian spirit. He used wax and strings to wrap the model. Then sewed on beads. The fish and chameleon are stripped with cotton then wrapped until they look like a fish and chameleon, then beaded. It would take about 4 hour to make the fish. Altogether this took about 31 hours to complete.

Manny said, "The craftsman and the artist get different attitudes from the society. The artist is looked up to more than the craftsman. But both put the same amount of work into it. To get people to understand that I put a lot of time in these works, I give them the materials and ask them to put the time and work into the work. Then they realize where I'm coming from and understand the way I value my work.

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