Barack Obama just wanted to be president, but on Valencia Street, his image has been morphed into Saint Barack Obama de Porres–and he is flying off the shelves.
Small candles with Barack Obama’s head digitally placed on the body of San Martin de Porres, the first black saint and patron saint of Peru, the Philippines and Mexico sell for $15 each. For Mia Galaviz de Gonzalez, the owner of Encantada at 908 Valencia Street, the candles are just another take on religious art, one of the genres her store has been selling since it opened 11 years ago.
When asked if there has been any push-back from the community about something that could be upsetting to the pious, Gonzalez laughed. She said the candles started selling on Saturday, the store isn’t open on Mondays and by Wednesday they were on their third box.
“We knew some people might get offended but it wasn’t meant to be hurtful or harmful,” she said. “It’s a contemporary image.”
Gonzalez said she isn’t very religious but thinks faith is important.
“You have to have faith in something, whatever it is,” she said.
Gonzalez is an avid supporter of Obama, and said she thinks he will bring about much-needed change. Recently, her own business has suffered and to survive the downturn she subleased her adjacent gallery.
While other small shops have been hurt by the recent gentrification in the Mission, she is ambivalent about the demographic changes. On one hand it is difficult to find an affordable house in the Mission District now, but her store has been supported by the influx of new residents.
On November 2, the boutique is having a fashion show and cultural celebration as part of the festivities called Bailando con La Muerte or Dancing with Death, which ends November 9. There will be poetry, art performances, music and window art installments in participating shops all along Valencia Street between 18th and 22nd.
Gonzalez’s store sells art from local and Mexican artists and jewelry, pottery and other crafts from Mexico.
Two paintings in the boutique that stand out include one of a family–the mother looks like Eva Longoria–gazing upon a portrait of the Virgin Mary, and another of Samson and Delilah in which Delilah looks like a high-class prostitute and Samson looks like a plainclothes cop.
Right now, however, Saint Obama might be the most popular item. The gigantic wax candle in the storefront will sell for $400 and there are still more smaller candles.
“I just think there’s power behind the image,” Gonzalez said.
I am an american citizen, I have born and raised in Lima-Peru,
I am offended too, but understand that this is a single situation. there is always people who has no respect of the sacred symbols of others. that guy just saw the oportunity to make a business.
Saint Martin de Porres and Saint Rosa of Lima are the first saints of America (continent) . Santa Rosa de Lima is the patron saint of the Americas,and Philipines, not San Martin de Porres
Being black have nothing to do with being saint. he was just a good man who took care of others and cure poor people and made many miracles.
I hope people respect others believes.
are you serious? the picture you have, even if clicked on to enlarge, doesn’t work because you can barely make out the face; one shouldn’t have to enlarge in any case. why not a picture of the giant candle? why not a picture of the obama candle alongside the original? (nor do you show the two paintings you mention but what appear to be postcards unrelated to anything). you should also have included more about st martin de porres. what did he do to deserve sainthood? why is he considered the patron saint of peru, mexico and phillippines? what does being black have to do with it? couldn’t the reporter have interviewed people other than then proprietor? finally, not clear whether this is a story about political art, religious art or an infomercial for encantada.
Well, as a Peruvian I´m offended because, despite of Mr. Obama prominence as President of The United States, he is a mere mortal. St. Martin De Porras is the most important saint in my country an is revered around the world.
For sure, Mr. Obama will be a good President for all the Americans. Is my sincere wish. But please, respect our most important holy icon in Peru.
So sorry for the late response. OF COURSE you can link to the story. I would love that. Thank you for checking it out.
Perfect political Mission story. Your friends and colleagues at Oakland North would like to link to it! May we? We have a story about Obama gear selling briskly in North Oakland–but no Santa Obama de Porres.