Commentary & Life Lessons on Contemporary Christian Fine Art
Saturday, March 25
Art on Fire
I SPOKE TO ONE OF MY FORMER STUDENTS by phone yesterday. She relayed a story to me about an exhibition she recently attended in NYC. I will not discuss details - the show was infinitely horrifying to her.
As a requirement for her Masters program, she attended this specific show with a friend. They paid their $10 entry fee. Upon entering and viewing the first piece, this 30 year old, immanently experienced portraitist got her first glimpse of what was yet to come.
Having lived in the City for many years, she has seen many abhorrent things in her time. She would only shared with me but a taste of what was in this show so that I would not be impacted in kind, except to say that the content was explicit, irreverent, evil, and gratuitous - subjects being of adults and children. Nuff said on that point.
The two ladies exited the show after viewing only a few pieces. My student (who has also become a friend) did the right thing. They let the museum know that the show was distasteful and hurtful to them and requested a refund - which they received.
The above example reinforces what David said in Psalm 101:3 NIV:
I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
You would not expect a painter who has studied life drawing, painting, art history, abstract and "message" paintings, etc., could be negatively impacted by any kind of art. But artists are people too. Christian artists in particular, if sensitive to the Spirit of God, will be moved to stand-down from anything that is outwardly, flagrantly and visually evil.
David who was a wise man, who saw and did a great many grand as well as sinful things knew that whatever enters one's eyes can impact the heart in a powerful way.
Christian artist, this is merely the beginning of how sensitive you need to be regarding not only what you view but what you subject others to of your own works.
Pray for artists who need Christ and pray for you. Pray that whatever you create or put before the eyes of others will honor God. It is one thing to create a piece that shows anxiety, pain, etc., nevertheless, convey your message such that it builds-up the viewer without damaging their spirit.
Thought from Christian Fine Art Today: You know the saying builders have used for many years - "measure twice, cut once"? This means not to be careless, take those extra few moments to measure before cutting a piece of wood. We are dealing with souls here, therefore my interpretation and thought for today is:
I hadn't thought of art from a christian's perspective put in the way you have and will try to remember that when I begin to learn the craft of copper enameling this coming August. :)
The seed for Christian Fine Art Today [CFA] was planted many years ago, as I grappled with being an artist. After becoming a Christian in... Complete Story >
I hadn't thought of art from a christian's perspective put in the way you have and will try to remember that when I begin to learn the craft of copper enameling this coming August. :)