from WESTWORD.com--by
Kenny Be--Religious refugees and indigenous oddballs have always found a
welcome home in the West Colfax neighborhood. It's the kind of
immigrant-rich enclave where the Black Madonna would feel right at home.
Saint Sarah la Kali is (allegedly) a descendant of Isis who rescued
the mothers of Jesus Christ, Saint James and Saint John from Roman
persecution back in the day. Sarah is the patron saint of gypsies and
palm readers, even though she has never been conferred sainthood by the
Catholic Church.
The display of a Black Madonna and a raised hand sculpture together,
suggests that the dwelling pictured in figure 42 is the home of a true
gypsy. Placing Saint Sarah outdoors on hollow cinder blocks allows
devotees to kiss her head for good luck and indicates that the resident
gypsy seeks to share her access to the secret knowledge of "Our Mother's
Womb."
The hand sculpture in the window, intimates that this gypsy yard
artist is also a chirologist, a palm reader who interprets supernatural
elements based on the physical forms of the hand. This combination also
reveals a neighborhood that shares the good fortune of having
all-inclusive sense of faith.
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