Miracles and Charms
Written by Kiranjeet Gill
Following hugely successful exhibitions on topics as varied as dirt, drugs and the skin, the Wellcome Collection has once again excelled itself with its latest offering, Miracles and Charms. The museum has an uncanny ability to make a fascinating show out of the unlikeliest objects, and this two-part exhibition, which describes itself as an exploration of faith, hope and chance, is no exception.
The first part of the exhibition, ‘Infinitas Gracias: Mexican Miracle Paintings’, looks at the centuries-old tradition of ex-votos offerings made to saints to show gratitude or devotion for prayers that have been answered. In Mexico, they most commonly take the form of commissioned paintings on tin roof tiles and tend to depict a misfortune that has befallen someone, the saint to whom they prayed, and a brief description of the event and outcome. If, for example, you were told in 1936 that you had an incurable ‘cancer of the face’, you might pray to the Holy Virgin of Zapopan. After your miraculous recovery some years later, you might commission an ex-voto giving thanks to the Holy Virgin for sparing your life. This particular example gave thanks to the doctor as well. Which is nice.
It is fascinating to see the evolution of Mexican ex-votos; from a 19th century man saved from execution after being falsely accused of being a highwayman, to more recent ones depicting incubators, or car accidents. Newer interpretations are also beginning to emerge;; two that particularly stood out to me included one written on the sole of a baby’s shoe, and another on what appeared to be a takeaway box, which I can only assume was created by a hard-up student.
What the exhibition emphasised to me was how, whilst the Mexican way of life has changed immeasurably since the early days of ex-votos, an overwhelming religious conviction remains, permeating through all layers of society. The paintings vary significantly in their quality; they could hardly be compared to Rembrandt or Vermeer, but this is what makes them so – for want of a better word – charming. They represent the lives of ordinary folk. Every part of their lives is influenced by belief in a higher power, and this gives them strength in the face of enormous adversity.
“It is fascinating to see the evolution of Mexican ex-votos - from a 19th century man saved from execution after being falsely accused of being a highwayman, to more recent ones depicting incubators or car accidents.”
The second part of the exhibition, entitled ‘Charmed Life: The Solace of Objects’, is a seemingly eclectic mix of amulets and charms from the collection of Edwardian businessman Edward Lovett. Curated by artist Felicity Powell, all of the items displayed were once worn or carried by Londoners to protect them from the perils of everyday life. As well as displaying pieces of her own artwork, Powell has laid out her choices on a horseshoe-shaped table. Objects on display include fossilised shark teeth to help with toothache, a bottle of mercury wrapped in leather to ease the pain of rheumatism and even a stone that was tied to a cow to prevent fairies from stealing milk. Many will no doubt seem absurd to the modern viewer, and I am left wondering which of our rituals or charms will persist and which will seem just as strange to future generations as cramp-curing mole feet do to us.
Miracles and Charms is at the Wellcome Collection until 26th February 2012.
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