Commentary & Life Lessons on Contemporary Christian Fine Art
Tuesday, March 14
Mission of the Christian Artist
WE BEGIN in H.R. Rookmaaker's book, Art Needs No Justification, for our topic of the day. Rookmaaker wrote:
Artists are in a crucial place. They have to take part in a movement that has no organization, that has no name, the movement that I call the reformation, the return of the Lord to seek the Truth, the Way and the Life that is in Christ Jesus. Artists must be part of this.
Further he states,
The world did not become atheist because they [Christians] preached so hard, but because they worked so hard. In many fields they have led the way. They have set the tone. Art certainly has a great influence on people.
Lastly,
Often we are satisfied too soon, too easily. We pick up what the world does, change some obvious things, and then we think we have arrived. Our paintings are sometimes the same as "theirs" maybe just a little bit less shocking or radical. But to be a Christian is not to be conservative or less exciting.
These are powerful words from one of the late professor of art history at the Free University of Amsterdam, world-renowned art critic and author.
As artists, we indeed are in a crucial place in a crucial time. It is true we are not organized. However, as each artist whatever there genre seeks the mind of God, the Holy Spirit will guide and direct the individual. By doing this, we are automatically corporately organized even if we don't know what another artist may be doing.
Somewhere we dropped the ball. The ball being, as leaders rather than followers in the art world. I'll address this topic frequently from many directions as time goes on. In the context of the above quotes, unbelievers (more specifically atheists) worked very hard at taking a leadership role in the arts. Early on, we lead the way, now we are expected to follow and comply or keep quiet (Read our theme verse in the menu bar. We are to work quietly but not be muzzled by the world). We are compelled not to follow the ways of the world but of God's will.
The pressure today is great for artists of all stripes to follow this or that trend or style. Rather, we should find our niche, work tirelessly to excel in that area, and as God opens the doors, on into leadership roles within the arts. It should not be our goal to nudge our way way in, but instead, work and take opportunities as they present themselves. We're all in this together even though we work individually.
The word "conservative" in the last line of Rookmaaker's quote, it does not refer to a political position or agenda. Rather, it means we should take the reigns and lead instead of follow what the rest of the art world is doing. Works by Christian artists need not be dull! On the contrary, our work should be exciting and engaging enough to draw the viewer in to deliver whatever message or subject is we project.
Coming up...a radio program and commentary titled, Christian Artist vs. Christian Artist...don't miss it!
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 >
