Artist: Byron Ramos
Title: Road to Bethlehem
Medium: Original Mixed Media
Size:8"x8"
Artist Statement:
 "The Road to Bethlehem"This piece is made from a 200 year old Bible in the paper-mache "Viejitos" (old man) figurative style of the Mayan Highlands in Guatemala.The scene calls back to the biblical story of the Magi, while depicting the real world journey of Palestinian Christians today.This Christmas, Palestinian Christians will undergo a gauntlet of inspections, scrutiny, and even abuse to make the journey to Bethlehem. The journey is made arduous by the ruling state to discourage their movement. And every year, the pilgrims numbers are diminished.This Magi, having been assaulted, their offering spilled on the ground like nothing, like blood, represents the journey of all who dare worship in ways un-sactioned by the will of the state. The Roman, partly armed and clothed in the modern attire of guards on the route to Bethlehem today, represents those who shame, attack, and abuse people of alternative backgrounds. Who treat different ideas and sacred beliefs as an "other" not worthy of worship or holiness or understanding.