Art as a Reflection of Worldview
Do you want to add a powerful element to your artwork? Have you considered using painting to convey ideas and/or spiritual truth through symbolism? I’m not suggesting that you do this with every painting that you produce. But just bear with me and you might find this an exciting challenge. Everything you paint conveys something. The body of your work, which is the overall volume of all of your paintings, conveys a “world view.” This world view encompasses your beliefs and convictions. It concerns the meaning of existence and the purpose of life in this world.
If the body of your work conveys an ugly world, it hints at your ideology. With no hint of beauty, it says something about your theology. If you paint nothing but skulls, death and decay, this speaks something of your worldview. Painting scenes of war, fright, and torture also reveals your worldview. Of course, these things can be employed to convey social protest against war and the mistreatment of other humans. Still, there must be something to balance that out. Otherwise, social protest becomes a hollow cry with nothing offered as an alternative.
Christian Perspective in Art: Beyond Religious Imagery
A Christian worldview can be reflected in many ways in art. Being a Christian artist doesn’t mean just painting crosses and portraits of Jesus. Whether painting landscapes, portraits, or still lifes, you show something of light. This applies to any other expression you have found. You convey the glory of truth. If you paint a lake with trees, you lift it from the ordinary. It becomes visionary because you are an artist who believes God created all things. He filled the day with light to reveal their beauty. If you paint haystacks, they no longer look ordinary…You have lifted them out of the ordinary. You have interpreted them. You have painted the sunlight falling upon them. You have added color to the shadows. You have shown the power given by God to see beyond the ordinary. You have seen His light upon everything. It is no longer simply a haystack. It has become a symbol of beauty, which can be found in all places.
The Call to Deeper Meaning Through Symbolism
As I have grown older, I find a longing to convey more than just the superficial. That desire has always been there and I have experimented from time to time. But recently I have wanted to do this even more. Even if the symbolism is subtle and only satisfies a need within me.
The painting I have included here was created a few years ago. I don’t present it as great art. But I present it as an example of the inclusion of symbolism in painting. And it is also an example of prayer coupled with the creative endeavor.
The Nativity Painting: A Personal Journey
It was fall of the year and my wife expessed the desire for a Nativity painting for Christmas. But, being a student of the Bible, she did not want a traditional nativity scene…and she did not want the wise men included. According to scripture they were not present at the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. They showed up much later and visited Mary, Joseph and Jesus “in the house” where they were staying.
I had this great idea for a large, vertical painting. I went to Home Depot and bought a hollow core door (without a door knob hole). I carefully primed it with gesso and sanded each coat. It made a fabulous panel for painting. I set it upright in our garage and stared at the blank, white surface. I thought about what she had requested. I stewed over this thing and had no great ideas for the painting itself. What on earth would I paint? I reached the point of exasperation and finally told her, “I have nothing. I can’t possibly do this by Christmas.” Christmas was only a few weeks away.
So as I set the panel aside, I finally said, “Lord, you know this is important to her. And you know that I want to bless her with it. Would you please give me some idea, some plan that will make this work?”
Almost instantly, the creative wheels began to turn. I imagined emblems that would represent Christmas. They would also include her real wish: the presentation of the Gospel. I saw such emblems as the serpent, the crown of thorns, and other things that I wanted to include.
And then the real excitement began. At that time, most of my paintings took weeks to complete. I set the panel up, prepared my palette and started painting. It all just fell into place. I painted that afternoon and part of the next day and “The Nativity” was finished. My wife was delighted! And it has been a “discussion starter” for sharing the Gospel since its creation.
A close look will reveal Mary and Joseph and the Christ child. But the child, wrapped in swaddling cloth, is also surrounded by the crown of thorns. The painting speaks of the prophetic events fulfilled at Calvary. The Lamb is there, revealing His great role as the Lamb of God, a sacrifice given for sin. Above Mary is a cross. But the cross is also a sword. This is drawn from scripture. When Jesus was presented in the temple at eight days old, Simeon spoke to Mary. He said, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel. He is also a sign which will be spoken against…yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” In the painting the cross is also a sword that travels downward, passing through the heart of Mary. But the Bible also speaks of the great victory which was prophesied at the dawn of history in the Garden. The Lord spoke to Satan of the One who would come. The One who would be the Seed of Woman would also crush the head of Satan. So if you look carefully, you will see the image is faint. We don’t want to give too much attention to Satan. A red-orange serpent image is included in the background. At the bottom of the painting, the tip of the sword is piercing the head of the serpent.
I was amazed at how easily it came. How the painting flowed from my head and heart to the panel. Again, I am not presenting it here as great art…but as an effective work of art for its purpose and an answer to prayer.
You can see another example of my use of symbolic imagery here in my painting of Lanterns on the Pond. It is a painting about my Baptism as a young boy and the Glory and Wonder of Christ.
Your Challenge: Creating Art That Speaks
Here is a challenge. Create a painting, or more than one, that expresses something of your worldview. It should also show your theology. It can include images that are personal to you. Others will not instantly understand. That’s ok. It is an opportunity for you to respond to their questions. You can share some spiritual reality that is important to you. It is an opportunity to glorify God through your art.
If you create something you want to share, send an image of it to me. I may include it in a follow-up post. You should send it to [email protected].
Here’s to you, as you continue your journey as an artist.
Blessings,
Mark