ARTISTIC MOTIVE IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN DISCERNMENT OF SACRED ARTWORKS

 

Nature forms cloister arches of winter beauty.

Sacred art is an excellent method to get a message across. Yet the artist's original motive must be looked at to interpret the true meaning of the created work as intended by the artist, not the construct the individual viewer places thereon.

The individual viewer of an artwork may place a construct thereon, and this is valid for the viewer. Yet viewer interpretation cannot replace the artist's motive - which should be looked at within the culture and context of the artist's time - in order to interpret the true meaning of the created work as originally intended by the artist. 

Thus a sacred artwork viewed decades later within an evolved - and thus different societal and religious context - cannot be interpreted with the same lens which was possible at the time of the creation of the artwork.

Sacred art made with pure intention - which was created by an artist from one culture and context - simply cannot be judged decades later without reference to the original time of culture and context. This reflects maturity of artistic reflection.

Art is always moving on. We stand on the shoulders of the giants who went before us. So yes, we may have more options and understanding than previous generations of sacred artists due to the vast array of developed tools presently at hand.

Yet we cannot deny that without the faith, sacrifice, inspiration, toil and tears of previous sacred artists - many of whom gave their lives to teach us what they knew then (and not what we subsequently know now) - we might not have had any faith art at all.

Let us be gracious to previous sacred artists. As we hope and pray future generations will show for our own efforts to reflect the inimitable Glory of God.

The role of sacred art is not to reflect norms of ever-changing fields of societal opinions. The role of sacred art is to reflect the never-changing commands of GOD.

The goal of sacred art is not to invest faith in current norms, which of their essence are mutable. The goal of sacred art is to support individuals to come to faith in GOD the Immutable.

SACRED ART HOLDS A MIRROR UP TO SOCIETY

 

Sacred art has a powerful message: to hold a mirror up to society, to give a social, spiritual or religious meaning. 

God, the Great Artist, sent art to lift our hearts up to Heaven: not to sow dissension regarding artistic dominion here on earth.

No one form of sacred art is more meritorious than another form. All are as rivers running eagerly back to the Source from which they came: GOD.

So don't worry about looking with anxious eyes at the form of art another religious expression has made. Look rather with joy at the truth that all sincere artistic expression has the pure goal in mind: true worship of the Almighty.

Enjoy sacred art!

WHOSE SACRED ART IS BETTER?

 

Sometimes within the field of sacred art, competition arises. Dissension occurs. Anxiety prevails. Whose sacred art is better?

Which form of art is better? Which cultural expression should prevail? Which media is superior? Whose concept is more authentic? Whose worship is more pure?

The creation of sacred art is not a contest as to whose art is greater. 

All sincere liturgical art is worthy in God's Sight.

DO WE WORSHIP STATUES IN SACRED ART?

 

Do we worship statues in sacred art? Not at all. Artists merely portray a symbol of the reality, not the reality itself.

As my brother once observed, it is possible to "keep looking to project a personality onto the carved stone or plaster which simply isn't there. The statue is a picture of the Madonna; not the Madonna herself."

ART IS A SACRED MOUNTAIN

 

Art is a sacred mountain which angels help you to ascend. 

Don't be afraid to climb.

You don't have to be Michelangelo, Rembrandt or Titian.

You only need to be you.

ART IN AFRICA BY CATHERINE N WHITTLE DD

 

ART IN AFRICA BY CATHERINE N WHITTLE DD

 

ART IN AFRICA

by Catherine N Whittle DD

COLLECTION OF ARTWORKS

IN EXPLORATION OF THE LINK

BETWEEN ART AND FAITH

Art in Africa draws from the richly diverse palette of nature. Everywhere you look, there is teeming life. People bustle in cities, towns, market-places and villages. Buses chug along the roads, avoiding ever-proliferating potholes, Busy matrons shop for fresh fruit and vegetables. Children dance on their way to school.

Earnest employers worry about finance and doodle amazing creations upon their notepads as they wistfully look out at clear summer days through boardroom windows. Many draw, knit or needlepoint. Photographers create unforgettable moments in time. Artisans sign their work with flair. Architects add touches to works of stone. Fish swim in waters, birds fly, animals roam. Painting, exquisite borders, colourful materials, creatively cut clothing, decorated churches and beaded sculptures enrich society.

The heart of Africa draws inspiration from the Great Creator. Everyone is an artist. Little oxen are fashioned by nimble fingers from clay after rain. Mothers decorate baking with icing art and syrup drawings. Fathers paint hilarious messages on motor cars.

Tin cans are punched with decorative patterns. Gardens boast metal windmills, butterflies, cats, dogs and meercats. Forgotten sculptures beautify abandoned fields. Children race in handmade go-karts. Energetic youngsters push wire cars with rattling wheels. Wooden crucifixes with silken flowers form wayside shrines. Church members make banners, flower displays and lace-and-linen cloths.

Prayer breathes forth from diverse artistic talents. Artists in Africa share unique vision of creative blessing. Each one of us is an artist as children of Creator God. May you be inspired to find your own artist within.

Download your free Art in Africa book. Feel free to use images copyright free for any worthy purpose.

To access the book, please click in the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gBIECZWD4-hP_eE6TVTzADQdjDo0sGvn/view?usp=drive_link