Tellya what. You deny God's inspiration wherever you want, and I'll admire its magnificence wherever I want.
Humility, a very valuable concept.
Posted on 06/20/2011 10:44:05 PM PDT by CzarChasm
My family and I went to an art exhibit recently. It was dingy, dirty, unkempt, probably dangerous, and just plain creepy, and I could not wait to leave. The artist was inspired by God to create his numerous and various works. As we were leaving, there was a quote from the artist on the wall to the effect of:
God provides the art, I am just the brush
(not the exact wording) and I thought "I am sure that God could come up with something better than this!"
I am not a fan of this particular art style to start with, but I have seen much better efforts than this. To claim divine inspiration is one thing, but to claim divine origin seems beyond the pale.
So the question is: is this a sincere expression of gratitude for a talent/gift, or does the artist really think that this amateurish crap is the work of the divine? If the latter, does that mean that since I don't like it I am insulting God?
There are many “gods” but only one true God. Your answer likely lies in understanding what “god” the artist serves.
Beauty is the mark of the one true God. That can be subjective, but the balance, proportion, composition ... genuine beauty smiles forth and is difficult to mistake.
There are artists who do believe themselves led by God, the God of the Bible, and I accept that. Does it bear good fruit, is it beautiful beyond subjective quibbling? Then it’s so.
Otherwise, another “god” is involved or, as you say, it’s hubris.
The most beautiful work you have ever seen is nearly nothing compared to His beauty, yet because of his great love for us he adores all that we do that is an attempt at beauty. In a way even the less than remarkable work of a believer is an expression of His working in them. Do you not adore the drawings of your child or grandchild? I think the Lord must like to see all our drawings and say “ohhh that’s so pretty dearest child of mine”.
Seems like an innocuous statement to me... doesn’t Rush say something about Talent On Loan From God??
All of us have talents given to us by our Creator. Hopefully, this guy was just acknowledging that :)
The important thing is that God has given him the confidence to share something that feels personal to him. He is giving credit to God. And remember, enjoyment of art is subjective. Other people may love it. He has a personal relationship with God. Maybe he doesn’t express it the way you would but sometimes I think we judge others too harshly. I don’t think God will condemn a person for expressing his love in a less than perfect way.
Cindie
For comparison see this:
http://www.artakiane.com/home
God says His word is inspired.
He says the heavens declare His glory.
He never, so far as I know, has claimed to have inspired any particular artist’s work.
There were very detailed instructions for the tabernacle, and the particular artists who put that together.
I think that’s it. I don’t know that any other artists have any authority to claim that their work is divinely inspired.
Sola Scriptura, a very valuable concept.
What is ugly to you, might just be the tool God wants to use to inspire, or touch another persons heart.
People say that they have prayed and that God told them to run for office.
Is that bothersome?
People say that they have prayed and that God told them to run for office.
Is that bothersome?
I don't like slugs, and they are more directly the works of God than this guy's art. If God is insulted by my hating slugs, He should have made them cuter.
Tellya what. You deny God's inspiration wherever you want, and I'll admire its magnificence wherever I want.
Humility, a very valuable concept.
I see nothing wrong with the artist’s statement. God is the Supreme Artist, after all. Sounds like the artist was just acknowledging that and giving God the credit for his talent.
An interesting angle - given the subjective nature of beauty!
Others clearly like this artist’s work. I even like some of the work by other artists that have made similar claims - but not all of it.
Thanks for your thoughtful response!
Very true. My son (almost 4) is a minimalist when it comes to art. Give him some finger paints and paper and he’ll slap and swipe at it for 30 seconds, say “I’m done”, and wander off.
We love his work no matter what, and hang it on the wall (on a closeline put up just for that purpose).
Oddly enough, today I was looking at two of his creations hanging in the sunlight, and noticed that up close they look like random swirls of color - but from across the room, faces and animals leap off the page on one, and on the other, dancing figures in ornamented dresses appear.
I’m a little freaked out about it.
Thanks Luna. I read the statement differently, but I think the art show may have affected me. It was like looking at kindergarten arts and crafts as rendered by funhouse mirrors. I kept thinking “if only this fellow had had some art lessons, he could have been really good”
LOL - good point!
True. Others have clearly been inspired by this artist’s work.
an interesting and literal point, thank you
beautiful!
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