Faith

---

Art and Christ, Our First Tortured Artist.


One thing art, again and again, has done, is to create a structure where the things that are beneath the surface in ordinary life are revealed. And, I think, one of the things we all crave is for what is real to be revealed… -Frank Bidart

Art is a beautiful and often mysterious thing. Some of the strangest, most troubled people in history were artists. There is secular art, there is new age art, there is Christian art. In forms of music and paint and dance and language. At times what is produced in the name of art can be violent and scandalous. Yet, we are faced with the most haunting and beautiful moments-experiences-through it. It is undoubtedly a gift, a talent some are more skillful in than others.
I believe the danger of art is not the the artist, the intent of the artist, or even the content itself. I believe the scariest thing about art is the scariest thing about everything. We, as humans have treasured it as our own sacredness and talent. We have taken credit for what God has done. We have worshipped our gifts more than the one who gives them: (Romans 1:20-22). In this way we have perverted one of the purest forms of worship. We have forgotten that the sky is a fingerpainting by the most infinite of beings and that we were crafted by the very breath of God. We have forgotten that we ourselves are the artwork of the Lord. He is the artist of our past and future, who wrote both the song of the birds and the story of each and every life. This is the Lord who is the master decorator of the heavens, and the poet who describes it with vivid imagery. He, the original tortured artist who painted the deepest expression of His love for us in vibrant red on an agonizing tree, is the giver of it all.
Thus, I can respect no human artist alone for a written word or a photograph without first recognizing this reality. And when I do recognize it, I am convicted and amazed that this Creative Being, this magnificent artist, chose to draw my portrait in His image. I am awed by the simple fact that he made a decision to create me with the ability to express the same way He did (Though, of course on a smaller scale). I am honoured to know that within me lies the capability to craft and create because this Godly ability is the reason I am here.
In light of this, I am convinced that art is a rich and pure gift from God, regardless of the intent of the artist (whether secular, or Christian, abstract or landscape, music or dance) and that when it is experienced in light of the truth of who God Almighty is, can draw us into the very depths of the heart of Christ.

© Shyla Salmon 2009

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE