Spring ‘21: A New Way To Be Human

How does one progress in faith? Both attention to the spiritual and physical are addressed in an ancient text, Matthew. We have responded to readings of Matthew chapters five, six and seven through the creation of art in a variety of media. This book is found in the Bible and is written by an early Christian disciple, Matthew, to record the amazing teachings of his mentor, Jesus Christ. We come from diverse backgrounds and belief systems but have spent approximately three months of weekly sessions together studying this religious text. It contains themes surrounding prayer, forgiveness, intentions of the heart, the true promises for God’s people, and the distinction between having faith and not. Matthew’s narrative is written to the people of God who are awaiting God’s rescue including those who are vulnerable, isolated, and displaced. Matthew is known for reaffirming the promises of God and teaching how they are fulfilled by the person of Jesus. We aspire to create an active discussion among other curious and analytical people about Matthew. Our desired outcome is to learn more about how we measure this scripture in conjunction with our own lives, belief systems, and visual art practices. By making art in response to what we read, we are applying this religious text to our current experiences.

Though the Path Might Be Steep, Joshua Kim.

Modelling clay, small pieces of playdough, thin bendable iron, booger

This artwork is based on these passages from the book of Matthew: 5: 1-16, 5: 43-48, 7: 1-6, 7: 13-14 and 7: 21- 23. The journey of faith to the kingdom of God can be a difficult uphill battle. Fortunately, our Heavenly Father is always there and helps us along the way.

Image description: A multi-coloured modelling clay sculpture rests on a flat white surface with a white background. It is in a ‘L’ shape facing backwards. The bottom left of the sculpture is red, then speckled with boogers, then transitions to orange around and up past the right angle of the ‘L’. It is capped by a rounded yellow piece. From the red section up to the top of the orange are spots of blue. There is a blue angled figure-like piece placed at a 45-degree angle in the right angle of the sculpture. Behind it is a multi-coloured ball, attached by a wire. There are four multicoloured balls that move up the orange section.

Be The Light, Karen Lai.

Digital Photo and Art

Jesus said in Mathew chapter 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This metaphor of light only makes sense against a background of darkness such as our ignorance and rejection of the light.

Image description: A close up of a lamp with a black background. The lamp is circular with a wire extension attached to support it. The lamp has two screws placed in the centre of the light forming what look like eyes. Underneath the screws is a red mouth forming an open mouthed smile. In the bottom right corner is red text that reads “Be the Light, Matthew 5:14”.

Where Treasure Lies, Hayley Ng.

Gouache

We often tangle ourselves in material treasures and forget that there is more to life than what we possess. In Matthew 6:19-21, it says that one should store their treasures in heaven so they may not be destroyed. My most valuable possession isn’t something physical, but rather something I will have to wait for.

Image description: Painting with grey background. Grey images of a trophy and a medal hanging off of it sit on top of a dresser. To the right is a window with grey shutters opening inwards. A black silhouette of a figure is painted from behind with a red heart on their back. The figure reaches out the window holding a closed, yellow box with a keyhole. A white web is connected to the box, which is also attached to the heart. The view out the window is of a bright coloured landscape featuring blue to yellowing sky, white puffy clouds, and a flat yellow and green landscape with greenery.

“Will He not much more clothe you – you of little faith?”, Bryn Vargas.

Stoneware, peace lily

Worry and anxiety are rampant in our daily lives. Sometimes it feels like we can’t help it with all that is going on. Yet Jesus, through the passage in Matthew 6: 25-33 teaches us ways to reframe how we see our needs, our place, and God’s care for us.

Image description: A clay planting pot off-centred to the right, placed on a white background. The pot is an earthy brown colour decorated with a yellow painted dress at the front. Inside the pot is a white peace lily that stands upright with its leaves spread outwards, away from the stem.

Stacked Up Foundation, Courtney Friesen.

Digital Art

Reinterpreting the passage about building your house on a rock (Matthew 7:24-27) I reflected on texts which I read for regular entertainment, inspiration, and engagement. Visualizing what I build my life on, this art piece is a reminder of the ongoing strive for stability.

Image description: A digital illustration with a golden yellow background. The foreground features a stack of houses and books, spines facing out. From the bottom up: a brown Bible that reads ​The Message: A Devotional Bible​, the front of a two-storey pink house with stairs to the front door, a large bay window with column decorated balcony above and grey trim, a white book that reads ​Love Lives Her​e, a book with a grey mountain that reads ​The Hobbit, ​a dark red book that reads ​The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a​ pink book that reads ​A Little Princess, a​ dark green book that reads ​The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, t​ he rear of a grey two-storey house with a balcony on each storey, a blue book that reads ​The Red Scrolls of Magic, a green book that reads ​The Chronicles of Narnia: Book 1 The Magician’s Nephew, ​a thick grey book with the white pages side facing forward and a red bookmark hanging out, a blue book that reads ​A Grief Observed, a​ green book that reads ​The Complete Novels: Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, ​and at the top is a a small one-storey brown house with brown trim.

A Now Snowy Ditch, Jasper Rodrigues.

Six Block Linocut Print

My Artwork shows a snowy ditch that was once littered with trash but was cleaned by someone. It reminded me of the passage Matthew 6:1 which spoke to me as he was not "practicing [his] righteousness in front of others to be seen" but was just doing something good.
Image description: Linocut print on textured grey-white paper. An image of a snow-covered ditch tinted shades of purple and pink. Before the ditch, scraggly brown branches pop up from the snow and cast dark purple shadows across the snow. The snow is clean and untouched.