EASTERN UNIVERSITY
MODELS SURVEY: SPIRITUAL COMPILATION PORTFOLIO
A paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course:
ARTS 550 Arts and Spirituality
By Nicole Livingston
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 June 2009
MODELS SURVEY: SPIRITUAL COMPILATION PORTFOLIO
This portfolio is a compilation of a variety of visual art images that relate to arts and spirituality. It consists of an array of categories within arts & spirituality such as contemplative art, art and conscience, art in healing, art and community, and art in stages of life (seasons of life). However, I have included some miscellaneous samples that I believe relate to art and spirituality, though I am not sure which category would best describe them. In addition to going through the corresponding chapters in the book, The Spirituality of Art, by Lois Huey-Heck and Jim Kalnin, I also read what other artists had to say about each classification. Therefore, I will elaborate upon my understanding of each class.
Contemplative Art In this class the artist's intent is to silence one's inner critic in order to allow creative potential to flow out, while meditating either on the present moment, spiritual awareness, God, nature and or divine inspiration. This process requires focus and stillness.
A Bridge to Salvation Hill a spiritual oil painting by Andre.
http://www.contemplative-art.com/
The title and image of this piece really stuck out to me personally. When I came to know Jesus Christ, it was outside of church through a network of close friends instead of the traditional response to an altar call. I also cannot tell you the day I committed myself to being in relationship with God. It was more like a transitioning phase, like a journey, slowly leaving one country behind in order to enter another. I never knew how to describe it before, but when I saw this image, I thought, “That's it!” I crossed the bridge that brought me to salvation hill.
Art and Conscience In this category, the artist desires to make a statement in order to incite the viewer to care about a particular cause, whether that is hunger, caring for the environment, or protecting endangered species. In this instance the artist hopes to create awareness concerning an issue and/or use the image as a catalyst so others will act.
Social Justice 2008, 12 Posters by Luba Lukova
I have only included four of the twelve posters Lukova made, however her use of metaphor across the board is masterful. Each poster I saw stopped in me my tracks. I responded comically at some of them initially, but the gravity of the message eventually hit me like a ton of bricks. My spirit was troubled as a result of contemplating each problem; and I wondered what I could possibly do about it.
Art and Healing This category can cover an array of meanings; however, I tend to think of art and healing as being more of an informal version of art therapy. The artist may be the one healing from abuse or trauma as they draw, paint or sketch in order to restore their spirits and/or souls. Perhaps the artist suffers from a physical ailment and they seek release through utilizing their creativity. Or, the artist may not have experienced anything traumatic at all, but create artwork that encourages restoration and healing. The images below are from survivors of traumatic experiences featured in the online art gallery of The Survivors Art Foundation (http://www.survivorsartfoundation.org). WARNING: Some of these images are graphic and intense.
Bible Reading by Linda Ness
Daddy by Candyce Brokaw
Closet Time by Lynn Schirmer
These images invoke so much raw emotion within me. Anger, sadness, hurt, frustration and pain all rise within me. I wish I could take their experiences away. As much as I am intrigued by their work I wish they never existed. But I am encouraged by each of the artists and how they have not only strove towards their own healing, but that they hope to facilitate a process of healing amongst other victims. They are saying, “You are not alone, and yes you can heal.”
Art and Community This class fosters a sense of spiritual and emotional connectedness with a particular community by bringing artists and/or non-artists together to work on a particular project. Another way of putting it would be, collaborative art.
Mural at Southside Lions Community Center in San Antonio
http://www.sanantonio.gov/
This mural was completed by youth and adults, artists and non-artists to beautify their community which was being overrun with graffiti. The image itself represents a range of ages, ethnic groups, and activities while still conveying a sense of unity. However, I am more curious about some of the cross-generational dialogue that occurred as a result. Overall, this image makes me think of when I grew up in Mt. Airy in Philadelphia. There was a strong sense of connectivity.
Art and Seasons of Life This class could be very similar to the stages of life, however, I consider seasons to be on a more intuitive and soulful level than stages. Stages are more of particular events, whereas seasons are a reoccurring dilemma, with each year, spring, summer, fall and winter. Seasons are similar to the manner in which people may go through cycles of joy, contentedness, sadness and depression.
Winter by Nicole Livingston
I created this piece in the year 2003. This was a time of transition. Transitioning from high school to college, I started to doubt where I belonged and felt purposeless. Everything seemed dry and nothing was fruitful. I felt frozen, so I created this image. I also wanted to play around with color at the time because I was not sure how to achieve this coolness effect. I think for my first attempt, that it turned out pretty well. It is supposed to be an image of a melancholy young woman, at a blue line septa station looking over Western Philadelphia buildings.
Stages of Life
This category is more representative of major events in life such as birth, first day of school, graduation, marriage, having children, day of death. The artist's intent is to signify the thresholds that we cross as we mature.
Woman Rocking Her Baby by Caren Loebel-Fried
www.corbis.com
This image is significant in meaning to me because I am about to enter a new stage in life. I am expecting, and my baby will cross the threshold from the womb to the world; and at the same time I will become a mother. I often wonder how I will be as a new mom, but I look forward to cradling my child as the woman is doing with her child in this image. I like how the artist has them emerging out of darkness and that all you can identify are their faces and the mother's hands. As a result this image is quite universal and can identify with mothers of all backgrounds.
Miscellaneous
Untitled by Kyle Cotterman
http://www.tattoonow.com/art_galleries/art_6106.html
This image does not necessarily fall into any of the previous categories. Perhaps this would be more of an image of Art and Morals because of the conflict the man is having by following the devil who is telling him where he should go, and the angel who is whispering in his ear telling him to stay. This image resonated with me when I saw it because it reflects an ongoing cycle of the battle that is being raged spirituality: and the battle is that of life versus death.
