Local artist Nadine Seymour-Munroe is calling on the country’s political and religious leaders to show that they are servants of the people by participating in her latest project.

As part of the presentation of her photographic rendering, entitled “Washing Feet,” Nadine hopes to wash the feet of thousands of people to demonstrate selfless service and brotherly love.

The project, which is already underway, will make it’s official debut during the highly anticipated Transforming Spaces Art Tour 2014, the theme of which is “Water“. Everyone in attendance is invited to have their feet washed by Nadine. As the project continues, it is the artist’s intention to ultimately wash 5,000 feet, all documented through photos and video. A full exhibition is expected to be held in 2015

“The inspiration behind my new washing of feet project is spiritual,” said Ms Seymour-Munroe, who partnered with Bahamian photographer Ana-Lisa Wells for the project. Ana-Lisa will document the foot washing.

Nadine said the project is based on the biblical scripture, John 13:5: “After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

“One of the reasons Jesus washed his disciples’ feet was to show his willingness to take on the work of the last and the least,” she said. “By doing this he emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant. We are our brothers’ keepers.

Nadine said she believes people are put on the earth to serve one another. “The world has become selfish, hence crime is everywhere,” she said, “Every leader, in every aspect, should have the heart of a servant. Unfortunately due to selfish motives, the opposite is often true. They have taken advantage of the people who have empowered them. No servantship or love is displayed,” she said.

“My goal is to have our political, religious, and business leaders partner with me in the washing of feet so that the nation can see that they are called to be servants of the people. We have already spoken with a few of our nation’s leaders and they have expressed their willingness to be involved.”

The washing of feet is symbolic of Christian humility. The lesson that is here to be learned is one of hospitality, selfless service and brotherly love,” she said.

Jeffarah Gibson
The Tribune