Posted by admin 20th 2008 October
Categories: Life and faith issues, Art & Design
Creating meaning in artwork- request for views
I am a final year Textile Craft student and for my monograph (Much like a disertation) I am researching and writting about meaning within Artwork. I am especially looking at Christian Artwork. If anyone has any information on this topic i would be very appreciatative. My main questions are…
1. Does Artwork have to have a meaning or can beauty be enough of a meaning?
2. As an artist is it their job to create work with a meaning or us as the viewer?
3. Is God or any spiritual aspect used in the creation of Christian (and/or secular) artwork?
4. How do Christian artists create meaning without isolating the secular world?
Any information and/or responces to any of these questions would be very valuable.
Thanks. Jo.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Dear Jo,
If you type “beauty” into the “Search forum” box, you will find a link to a very long and involved conversation we had about art and beauty, which I am sure you will find useful and interesting.
I do quite a lot of paintings based on pictures that God has given to me during times of worship or prayer, so divine inspiration is a key factor in the work I produce.
I do paint landscapes, flowers, portraits etc, but I think that God can speak through those too.
I will try to add more at another time.
Best wishes,
Sue
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
All four questions could warrant a dissertation in and of themselves I think.
I will try to be more concise in what I think. I’m sure that is a relief to you. he he.
1) Beauty is a great purpose for art. especially in the culture that turns to the ugly. The two other aspects I think are essential to any “good” art are goodness and truth (based on Genesis 1:31 and Ephesians 4:21-24, John 1:14. Beauty has become one of the only aspects acceptable to art for Christians (bookstores etc.) because it seems safest when in fact the truth in some sense overrides the other two aspects. Some truth is not beautiful. These are artworks that perhaps we wouldn’t put over our couches (Good art doesn’t match your couch) but needs to be said. Things like abortion, anorexia, helping the AIDS crisis. A good example of this is the Bible. It is full of truth. some very harsh and very hard to read yet essential to understand God in relation to man.
2) I think this is a matter of personal taste. Not all art has to “say” something yet I feel for myself that we live in the “last days” and so the message of hope, love, freedom and goodness is even more immediate. I like art that communicates. If we look at the Bible the temple was adorned with pomegrantes, bulls and angels. (seen and unseen world) this was for the beautification of the temple, to inhance it. But the poetry and music of David or the parables of Jesus (story) are art forms that spoke deep truths (they had a message). so some messages could be subtle or outspoken.
3) Art is a gift of God. We were given this by the fact that we were made in His image. He is a creator God so we create. Not just by having babies but by creating things for beauty, understanding, etc. See Exodus 31:1-6 (as God has called Bezalel to create art for the tabernacle.).
4) Speak the truth but speak it in love. I think that we have used the symbol of the cross so much in our Christian culture that perhaps it has become a symbol that has lost it’s power. (not because of the work of Christs’ redemption but because we tend to think that every piece of art about God has to have the cross in it.) I think for secular art viewers we must (as Christian artists) find fresh ways to say old truths. If that makes sense. Not to take the cross out of the message but perhaps to engage them in who Christ is, how life gets hard and worrisome and how we all are human with struggles. THEN to show them the hope and the freedom that is in Christ. Some of my puzzle pieces do well in shows in New York and stuff like that because they are so different but once people engage with them it’s basically taken straight from scripture. I think artwork can show that we relate to their struggles and we are not an isolated bubble of people who never cry or hurt.
Looks like I have written a dissertation. sorry about that Jo.
Dawn
October 27th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Wow! Thanks to both of you for your replies. They are awesome messages and really help for my monograph and me generally too. Am i able to quote you in my monograph please?! Thank you both so so much. It is late right now but i will read back through them and reply for more discussion asap - hopefully tomorrow!
Thanks again.
Jo
October 27th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Yes, go ahead and quote away…except for all my misspellings! Forgive!
God bless,
Dawn
October 27th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Ditto for me!
October 28th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Hi I have been very blessed with the gift of wanting to paint something that has touched me spiritually and being able to paint it too!!
I must admit whenI see the lovely art that others are painting I do feel perhpas i have missed it. BUT I Havent.
Critising our own works in the wrong way is a barrier.This can happen to all of us.
The very best tip I can tell you is go with your heart.If you feel it others will. Also timing is critical and of course prayer.DONT scrutinise your work to much.Let is finish itself.
I paint very quickly so i can put my feelings in to it. Have you tried speed painting.
I hope these little jottings help.
God bless
November 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hay!
Sue,
So i am about to read that conversation about beauty and art… looks really good - thanks.
I am so glad that you put that sentence about painting images that God has given you… how does this work for you because i often feel inspired in worship and prayer times but the imagery i get i cant seem to put onto paper… i think perhaps i just need some better techniques and experiment more (plus i have alot of uni work to do so dont seem to have time to do anything i want to do these days!!) Do you have a link or website showing any of your work… as your name doesnt link me to anywhere!?
I agree… God can definatly speak through other sorts of paintings not nessissarily inspired straight from him… if that makes sense?!
Thanks!
Dawn,
That paragraph about beauty and art and such is awesome… that along with the link mentioned above and some books ive had suggested that i read i could probably write a whole monograph on that!! I guess i am going to have to pick out the most relivent parts and try not to write too much!!
I understand and see that now that you have pointed it out - about Christian bookshops just having ‘beautiful’ artwork and not nessissarily ‘truthful’ artwork or whatever… i guess we need both kinds within the Christian Artworld?!
Indeed, people need to hear about Gods hope, love, freedom and goodness especially in these ‘last days’ as the world gradually gets worse and more currupt. God love and hope is all humans have left to cling onto. (even though He created us to cling totally onto Him in the first place.) There is definately inspiration for artwork to be gained from Davids work and Jesus’ parables… esp as he told stories in parables so that only certain people would understand… those God wanted to.
I also had a look at your work (through your name link!) and it is wonderful. I love the puzzel pieces esp… where theres the image and then you look closer and see lots of other people or things linked to the subject or story or verse or whatever.
What makes you pick these particular things as subjects?! I just re-found them and found myself looking at the cain and abel one for ages!
Susan Hill,
And of course pray about it too! With God in my artwork how can i go wrong! It is basically Him painting then… thats my aim anyway! (sort of like in Heroes but God controlling me - haha!)
Thanks for your comments too. I am going to attempt some fast painting… my painting does tend to be fast pace but its still got control and there isn’t generally imagery that isnt formed by pictures… so i am going to try more of a free-er way of painting. Thanks!
Thanks.
Thank-you so much for all of your imput. Please continue to write anything which may be relivant for me and or my work!
God bless you all.
Jo
November 1st, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I also looked at your work Susan (hill!) and it is really good. Quite inspirational - so when i have time (not so much uni work to do) then i am going to attempt to do some quick actual drawing/painting… actual imagery!
November 1st, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I have also just thought of some more questions for the artists amunst you… (sorry if some of you have answered some of these already!)
1. What inspires you to paint and create artwork?
2. Can you go straight into painting anytime of the day or do you need to feel inspired?
3. Do you feel your work has to have ‘meaning’ and why?
4. Do your beliefs (if you have any) play a part in your artwork and how?
Sorry for the repitition for some of you.
Thanks for your time.
Jo
November 18th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Dear Jo,
Sorry, I forgot that I needed to answer this!
Look for my work under Sue Newham.
I often listen to worship songs as I paint. If I don’t have a particular picture in mind, I sometimes start by priming the canvas in a colour I like. Often, ideas flow once I have picked up the paint brush. I often have a picture in my mind before I start, but that can have a tendency to morph during the painting process!
My beliefs are central to my whole life, so they are central also to my artwork, even if I am painting a tree or a flower. I can’t explain that further really. I certainly paint some pictures as a representation of “visions” or “dreams” that I attribute to the Holy Spirit.
Hope that doesn’t sound too wacky!
November 25th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Thats awesome! Thanks Sue.I will look for your work and you have been very helpful to my monograph and my personal growth too. Thanks. Jo