My Faith & My Art

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

One of my favorite christmas traditions happens during the Christmas Eve service at church. My family and I have always done it, and it is something that has always brought me joy. As we walked into the church I attended growing up, Southlake Foursquare Church in West Linn, for the Christmas Eve service, volunteers would hand us each a simple white candle with a paper circle. It’s unassuming, small, and – if you are unfamiliar with the tradition – a bit insignificant. But to me it was always exciting to hold onto that candle. We (usually) sit down towards the back, a family of 5 among over 600, but at the front of the room on the edge of the stage is a pedestal with the advent candles. Tonight we light the “Christ Candle” – the big white candle in the center. It is the light of Christ who has been born. It sits there, alight for all to see throughout the service. Then after the main sermon is done, our pastor invites his family up. They all light their candles from the Christ candle, the adults helping the young children (who at the time were under the age of 8). From there, they spread out to the front row and light another candle of the audience’s. Then those whose candle is lit turn to their neighbor and light their candle with their own flame. This is happening all over the room – and soon the dark room is alight with candles.

Maybe you are familiar with this tradition, maybe not. But I love it! The candle lighting represents Christ lighting the flame of the Holy Spirit within us, and this act shows us all how fast we can be vessels to spread that fire. Not only that, but when the lights are out we see just how powerful all of our little, insignificant flames are – we LIGHT the room. It is a sight to see!

This is what my “Act of Faith” art piece, my final piece for my Art & Christ class, is about. The idea of being a light to the world – being GOD’s light to the world – just gives me hope as a person and artist in this world. I also felt that this content was appropriate for this holiday season 🙂

Another faith-related part of this artwork follows the well-known concept that we, as human beings, are made in God’s image. I love that, but you have to wonder, how many people truly believe it? We all look differently – is God’s “appearance” ever changing then? Does it only conceptually apply? I doubt that God changes his “appearance”, but instead that we are each a glimpse – a sliver, really – of Him. So by creating a self-portrait (or portraits in general), I find myself spending time with Him. This is a way that I am able to study Him and His creation, and hopefully through the gifts He has given me I am able to glorify Him.

Below I have included a timelapse recording of my illustration, so you can see how I created it from start to finish. I suggest watching at 1/2 speed, but it is simply my recommendation.

Thank you for a wonderful semester, and an amazing 4 1/2 years at Fox. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May God bless you all!

Art & Christ: Exploring the Catacombs

** Edit: This post is a work in progress. I’m updating it as I find more and wish to say more. Also I can’t figure out why the title is not showing. **

 

 

What were the Catacombs?

The catacombs of St. Callixtus are among the greatest landmarks of Rome and of the Early Christian legacy. Famous for the art that covers its walls and ceilings, it is home to buried martyrs, 16 popes, very many christians, and to the earliest dated christian art. In a time when christians were persecuted for their faith, the survival of the christian art in the catacombs is impressive and also of vital concern. In fact, Christians and Jews were safe from Roman persecution when performing funerary rites in the catacombs. Adams says, “According to Roman law, burial grounds were sacrosanct, so Romans rarely pursued Christians into the catacombs…” The catacombs were regarded as too important and valuable to interfere with, which would be why the christian art survived the time period.

A view of where the bodies were buried.

 

A map showing different locations of different catacombs

Before the creation of the catacombs, the early christians had no place to bury their dead. They did not cremate the bodies of the deceased, unlike their Roman neighbors, as life after death is important to the christian belief. The preservation of the bodies was symbolic of this belief. However, forbidden to bury their dead in regular burial grounds, the early christians made due with what they could. It is the reason why Saint Peter came to be buried at the public burial grounds “necropolic” on Vatican Hill. As a result of various grants and donations, christians began burying their dead underground. These tombs were niches cut out of the rock, and after placing the body inside, were sealed shut with a slab of rock. The catacombs grew as more donations came and family plots grew to include more than just family. The catacombs fell into disuse after the invasion of the Goths and Longobards. The barbarians systematically destroying and pillaging great structures, including parts of the catacombs, so the religious leaders removed the relics and treasures that had been kept there. This caused the catacombs to fall into disuse as burials were held in church cemeteries, and it was eventually forgotten until its accidental rediscovery in 1578.

The Art of the Catacombs

How the art interacted with the graves.

A painted ceiling in the Catacomb of SS. Pietro e Marcellino, Rome. 4th Century AD.

How this impacted me

 

Resources:
H.W. Janson History of Art p. 212-214
Laurie Schneider Adams Art Across Time p. 271-280
The Christian Catacombs of Rome