AS ARTISTS WE NEED TO SAY WHAT WE LONG TO SAY | Blair Anderson

Due to my own work in creating imagery for worship and providing a place for other artists to do so, I have the privilege of reviewing a lot of art that is created for media ministry. I also get a glimpse of how artists find direction for their work. I once had an aspiring artist, eager to please, ask, “What type of /sitecontent/reviews/images are downloaded most?” or something like that. I tried to answer the question gently because I know his intentions were to submit work that would fit appropriately with all the other art that is available to the global church. Good intentions, if a bit misguided. I had another artist tell me that he wanted to make sure what he submitted was “inspirational”. It’s interesting that in both cases, what I got was sappy and predictable.

With visual media getting its footing in ministry I really think it is time for visual artists to step up to the creative plate and be honest. Quit looking side to side before creating what we are meant to create. Side to side as if paralyzed by fear or doubt that we are going to get slapped down the minute we show an original thought. Side to side comparing ourselves with the tragic result of looking like each other, squeezing out any God-infused originality in the process.

We don’t need to do this.

In fact, in the business world it is called the Iron Law of Emulation. When companies start to compete and compare they begin to take on the characteristics of each other. The end result is a watered down version of what may have once been a great idea, and sometimes the demise of a company.

There is the same danger for artists creating work for the global church. What if, instead, every artist tackled the one thing that God had for her to say. That artistic expression, prompted by the spirit, longs to get out and bless the world.

As artists, sometimes I think we try too hard and get in the way of ourselves. Worse, we look around and craft something that has already been crafted because the territory has been tested and is therefore, safe. It is a low risk proposition.

God expects so much more.

What is inspirational to the human heart is that which often breaks it first. If we are to have any impact as artists in the emerging culture then we need to step away from the candy-coated and step into the real. If we are truly being honest to the depth of our artistic being, I doubt we will only create pictures of flowery fields and romantic sunsets. There are appropriate places for these, but if we can visually bring forth the promptings of the spirit I think we might see something completely different, far more interesting and ultimately God honoring.

We also need to steer clear of a potential pattern that visually sedates the church. Too many nature scenes can be the equivalent of an optical epidural. If we reduce art into something “pretty” in order to feel that it is “christian” then the prophetic nature of it may be lost. I know that God is calling us to something higher. Artistic honesty. I want this and long for this, and admit to often being tempted not to bother with my own art. It takes effort and time. It also takes consistent tending to your soul to create honestly. And it takes tending and honing your craft. That is our calling as visual artists.

© 2005 Blair Anderson, avisualplanet.com