By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Feb 12, 2025 / 14:20 pm
A Chinese artist’s paintings of inmates living inside one of Rome’s most well-known prisons will be projected on the prison building’s exterior and displayed in a new exhibit space near the Vatican as part of 2025 Jubilee initiatives.
The 64-year-old Yan Pei-Ming is a contemporary artist who has been living in France since 1981. He is known for his “epic-sized” portraits of figures such as Chairman Mao, St. Pope John Paul II, Bruce Lee, and Barack Obama.
Pei-Ming’s latest portrait series, featuring 27 prisoners living inside Regina Coeli Prison, will be displayed on the side of the prison building. The works, created at the request of the Vatican’s education and culture dicastery, will be the inaugural exhibit of a new art space on Via della Conciliazione, the main street leading to St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican will showcase the work of contemporary artists during the 2025 Jubilee Year and beyond with the new exhibit space, named “Conciliazione 5,” set to open on Feb. 15, during the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture.
The Vatican has lined up a series of events for the Feb. festivities, including exhibitions, concerts, and performances celebrating the intersection of art, culture, and faith.
Welcome to the 15-18 Jubilee of Artists, a celebration of art, culture, and hope taking place in the heart of the Vatican. This four-day event will showcase the talents of over 10,000 individuals from over 100 countries and five continents, bringing together a diverse array of artists and creatives.
Highlights of the Jubilee include the opening of a contemporary art space, Sunday Mass with Pope Francis, and the historic visit of the Pope to the film studios of Cinecittà. This event promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience for all who attend.
One of the featured exhibits at the Jubilee is the work of artist Yan Pei-Ming, who created 27 inmate portraits in just 20 days. These portraits serve as a powerful reminder that those in prison are more than their crimes – they are individuals with thoughts, dreams, and humanity. Pei-Ming’s work challenges us to see the prison community in a new light and reminds us of the transformative power of art.
The theme of hope, championed by Pope Francis, is at the heart of the Jubilee Year initiatives. Through art and dialogue, we explore how contemporary art can inspire hope and create connections in even the most challenging of circumstances. This celebration of art, culture, and hope is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit.
As we look towards the future, we are reminded that hope can be found in the most unexpected of places. The Jubilee of Artists is a reminder that art has the power to transcend boundaries, spark conversation, and inspire change. Join us in this celebration of creativity, diversity, and hope as we come together to explore the transformative power of art.
