December is a stellar month for art exhibits in NY. I say this as I begrudgingly fight a cold, and don’t feel up to trekking into the city.

Brazilian artist Stephan Doitschinoff (a.k.a “Calma”) combines Afro-Brazilian folklore with Baroque religious iconography, tossing in some alchemical and Pagan symbolism for good measure.

An excerpt from Carlo McCormick on the Jonathan LeVine website: With his personal study of religious art and affinity for spiritualist practices—a synthesis of European Catholicism with African vernacular (Macumba in particular)—he can migrate with fluidity from street to chapel, producing fine art conjoined with both Western painting and indigenous folkloric craft traditions.

Ooh…how I love those weaving twists and turns!

Calma currently has an exhibit at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery entitled Novo Mundo. The work is inspired by the altars and processional decorations of Brazilian religious street festivals.

Calma’s art is also the subject of a short film.