Homeless Jesus

Homeless Jesus

Outdoor Sculpture

 400 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis, IN, 46204

This low-profile, life-sized sculpture, installed with private funding on the property of Roberts Park Methodist Church, portrays a figure lying on a bench, huddled under a blanket in a position familiar to any urban dweller who has observed homeless people trying to find shelter and privacy.  When drawing near, the viewer observes that the sculpted figure has wounds on its feet similar to those seen in artworks depicting the crucified Jesus Christ.

The artwork was installed by Roberts Park Methodist Church in order to raise awareness of homeless people in Indianapolis.  A donation box is located nearby, and proceeds from donations support the work of Wheeler Mission, Outreach Inc., and the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic as well as Roberts Park’s own “Soup’s On” program that provides Sunday meals to people living on the streets.

The artist, sculptor Timothy Schmalz of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, created the first Homeless Jesus sculpture as a visual translation of the passage in the Bible’s Book of Matthew, in which Jesus tells his disciples, “As you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.”  Versions of this artwork are in public settings across the U.S. and Canada, primarily owned by churches.

The sculpture is somewhat controversial, with some people claiming it is sacrilegious and others insisting that it is too realistic and “creepy.”

 

 

Medium type: Bronze

Date created: 2015

Location Info

400 N. Alabama St.

400 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis, IN, 46204