Bible Humper

Lisa Albinger will probably never be thumping Bibles any time soon. However, her new painting exhibit at Perihelion Arts is influenced by religion.

Related Content

• Meet the Vine Geek (Part One)
  May 1, 2012
• Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale
  November 21, 2011
• M. Ward Discusses "A Wasteland Companion," and His Arizona Ties to The Meat Puppets and Howe Gelb
  April 12, 2012
• Bible Humper
  August 5, 2010
• Bible Humper
  August 5, 2010

More About

• Lisa Albinger
• Mary Mother
• Francis of Assisi
• Visual Arts
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

But not in a cliché way. You see, the work in Albinger’s “Holy Mary Mother of Birds” includes a likeness of Saint Francis of Assisi. With a boner.

As a child, Albinger was fascinated with the Catholic deacon and preacher, especially after seeing his painted likeness by Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán. Fast forward a few decades and Albinger discovers a past-life connection with Saint Francis.

“I didn't know Francis and Elizabeth knew each other until recently. Liz was a nun and 24 when she died after working with Francis as a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis,” says Albinger, a longtime Phoenix-based artist that now lives in Portland, Oregon. “I'm convinced they had sexual relations. I mean, she was in her early 20s so how could he pass that up? So I painted Francis expressing his desires, although cloaked. He's still a man and has man parts.”

She adds, “Erections are good. It’s how we all got here.”