The art studio at Faith Renaissance has just wrapped up a thought-provoking workshop entitled "Creating from the Heart", which was led by artist, activist, professor, and friend, Ken Krafchek. Ken led us in a process of responding to sayings of Jesus through intuitive ink painting. There was often profound silence as we worked, but also moments of laughter, and even anger as the bluntness of some passages and the demands they present felt unreasonable.
Please join us on our Lenten walk by reflecting on and responding to the small sampling of images that we'll post weekly, starting with this brush-and-ink crucifix created by Ken. (Click on the image to see a larger version.)
We're planning a coffeehouse in April to discuss these and other images, and the issues they provoke. Watch this space and our website for more information, and plan to join us!
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It's interesting that you posted a name for the image, though. Don't you think that limits the thoughts on it?? Anyway, I see figures all around Jesus, perhaps in agony, though perhaps in a dance of gratitude which was my first impression before I started "thinking." I'm new at this though, so I may not be seeing all there is. Jesus appears to be surrounded and carrying all of the agonies and burdens of everyone around him, which He certainly did and does.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lynn! I should have just left it undescribed, yes?! Perhaps Ken will pop in and tell us a little bit about his process of creation.
ReplyDeleteI saw rocks rather than figures, but looking at them as figures carries quite a different story.
When I contemplate this image I feel sad and yet hopeful too -- I am engaged by the light and the dark as a natural part of the medium that was used. I find the simplicity speaks to me as we begin the season of Lent and challenges me towards living more simply as well. Last week during our Ash Wednesday services I was nudged by the Spirit toward simplicity -- in my schedule and in the things I own. I like that the image retains the torn edges at the top and appears to use everday paper, tape, paint to create something of beauty. Maybe in a move toward simplicity, beuaty may be evoked in my life in unexpected places too.
ReplyDeleteSee above for my point of being new at this. My comment sounds kind of doofus-like. sigh.
ReplyDeleteHeavens, Lynn ... not even remotely doofus-like! In fact I was rereading this morning, thinking that your reflections were enlightening, and glad to rethink strokes that I had dismissed as just being "surroundings". This is one of the cool things about sharing our reflections, in that we add to each other's understanding. It's also one of the best things about art, that it engages us in so many different ways.
ReplyDeleteThe process of painting/drawing in Ken's class was sort of like this too. He had us working too quickly for much analysis until after the painting was over, and then there were so many perspectives possible for each of our sketches.
Tom's sheep rock, by the way. We'll definitely have to post sheep when we get to his work!
How do you know they're sheep? ha ha Just kidding. I also meant to say, Marnie, that my comment about the naming of the image was not to be a criticism, just an observation. Thanks for your nice comments. Art is so fascinating to me!
ReplyDeleteTom's sheep is crazy amazing...there is just something so lonesome, wondering and singular about the sheep...I could 'count the sheep' for hours...Tom, do you remember the passage used for the sheep?
ReplyDeleteKen's piece above is such a reflective piece ...the thing is? I am not even sure what feelings I have from looking at it...I'm still trying to figure that out.
Yeah, Heavens Lynn. Being a straight to the point kind of person, I went straight to Jesus face. What an awesome face it is. I didn't see rocks nor people around until it was mentioned.
ReplyDeleteHey, Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI'm slow this week! Your comments about naming the piece were ON TARGET. Hoist on my own petard, so to speak. Do you know the late Christian author Madeleine l'Engle? She made a wonderful case in favor of inconsistency. :-)
In rotating the image slightly, I saw Jesus in the tomb and wrote this poem:
ReplyDeleteProne Jesus
Laid down from the cross
'Neath the rock
waiting
'Til it rolls away and He is risen!
Halelujah!
I agree with Tom. My mind went straight to Jesus on the cross. He is our rock!
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed the rest of these. I'm not sure I'm getting the posts, so I'll have to sign up. Jesus' face is totally awesome, amazing depth in its simplicity. I love Madeleine L'Engle, and I appreciate inconsistency as well, and I appreciate your taking my hopefully gentle teasing. Great poem, Anonymous. As a not usually visual person, I go for whatever depth of feeling there is in a piece for me. But I certainly need to not miss the message in doing that. I love this opportunity to comment on art!!!
ReplyDeleteLynn, it is awesome to be able to engage the visuals and then respond to them as a part of our discipleship and effort to build authentic community.
ReplyDelete