Modern Saints: Transforming Tradition through Art and Diversity

Gracie Morbitzer, a former interior designer turned fine artist, is making waves with her modernized renditions of saints. Her unique approach to painting icons has garnered a following of over 11,000 people on Instagram and has led to commissions in churches and schools around the world.

Morbitzer’s modern saints feature diverse aesthetics, including dreadlocks, tattoos, headphones, and cigarettes, challenging traditional depictions of the saints. She believes that by portraying the saints in a more relatable and diverse manner, she can help people feel less alone and inspire conversations about representation in religious art.

However, not everyone appreciates Morbitzer’s approach. Like fellow artist Kelly Latimore, who faced backlash for his depiction of a dying Jesus resembling George Floyd, Morbitzer has received criticism for her modern aesthetics and racial diversity in her paintings. Despite this, both artists believe that their work can inspire people to rethink their assumptions and engage with the divine in new ways.

In a time where social media provides new avenues for viewers to interact with religious art, artists like Morbitzer and Latimore are pushing the boundaries of traditional iconography. By blending contemporary with ancient and secular with sacred, they are creating art that resonates with audiences and sparks conversations about faith, representation, and community.

Morbitzer hopes that her paintings will not only spark conversations but also point people back to the stories of the saints themselves. By sharing in-depth biographies of the saints she paints and providing resources related to their modern-day concerns, she aims to connect people with the rich history and diversity of the saints.

Through her art, Morbitzer has found a new, more expansive faith that embraces the diversity and complexity of the saints. She believes that by learning from the saints’ different perspectives and embracing their flaws, she can work towards positive change within the church and society as a whole.