Inspiration

Blanched by years of misrepresentation, BrownJesus is an ongoing public awareness campaign striving to reclaim what was most likely the true color of Jesus’ skin: Pantone 1545. Recognized as a work of excellence by the American Institute of Graphic Arts in their permanent archive in 2005 (aiga.com), and selected for inclusion in the deYoung museum store to accompany Cheech Marin's traveling art exhibit Chicano Visions in 2006, BrownJesus is attracting evangelists by way of fashion apparel and printed ephemera.

Statement

"I've always wanted to create a visual work that isn't driven by a deadline and doesn't have to answer to conventions of commerce—something drawn from my own life experience that resonates with others, shows a sense of humor, and is honest to the core. One very late evening, a simple sketch revealed a familiar face to me, the form was that of a bearded man. He was immediately recognizable to me… BrownJesus was in the house, the calling and the campaign had begun."—Steve Barretto

BrownJesus is coming to a store shelf near you, watch out for him!