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ManWoman enters the light
Renowned artist and ardent repairer of the image of the swastika, ManWoman (aka Manny Jack Lightning), died in the early morning of Nov. 13 after a courageous battle with cancer.
As colourful as his art, ManWoman became known around the world for his talent and for trying to steer the public’s perception of the swastika away from the negative connotations associated with Adolph Hitler and the Nazis.
“How can a symbol be guilty for the acts of a madman?” asked the founder of the Friends of the Swastika, which he built into a world-wide following.
“If you see a swastika, that symbol of light and love, tattooed on someone, you can thank Manny. All of the spiritual and geometric tattooing that is exploding today owes his efforts a great deal of credit and thanks. Although he was often unknown by those he helped transform both physically and spiritually, like some benevolent and hopeful puppetmaster bard, he touched almost all of us in one way or another, and was one of the most influential guides in this community,” Wrote BME/ News Presents’ Shannon Larratt in a tribute.
“But even though Manny has passed, he lives forever in not just his art and the retelling of his own story by others, but he lives forever in the millions of tattoos that carry his message and a small part of his soul. Manny cannot die, because his passion and his ability to inspire others to make the light he rediscovered a part of their lives as well gave him immortality,” Larratt stated on ModBlog.
He was a true East Kootenay character; proud and wise and he spoke with a purpose.
His art and his personal sense of style captivated people and he will be greatly missed by the arts community, and much farther abroad than just that.
News of ManWoman’s passing has also resulted in an increasing volume of social media tributes, from the arts community and beyond.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
