TRUTH | Abstract

 

 

"Abstract art places a new world, which on the surface has nothing to do with reality, next to the real world."

-Wassily Kandinsky

 

ABSTRACT ART: Art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.

I am ashamed to admit how much I've detested abstract art in the past. When I created the list of styles needed to balance the series, I had to face the fact that there was an unmistakably large audience who loves abstract work. There was no doubt this movement had to be incorporated into the series if I were truly going to reflect a well rounded scope of unique art movements.

When the time came to create this I was oddly nervous. Possibly because there was so much previous judgement that I had in my head already. However, I knew that starting the portrait in that headspace would not be fair and I must get to a neutral ground where my mind could start to reframe the bias. Once I got past that point- there was an instant shift inside that was so liberating I started laughing at myself.

Up till this very point I had known what every single painting would look like (slightly more or less) before I even created it. Everything had been preconceived. The vulnerability it takes to let go of everything and approach an open canvas is thrilling and emotional. Painting becomes an output and an input at the same time. There is no auto-pilot mode because each stroke and color and gesture is inspiring the next. You must be totally present in order to create this kind of work. It was surprising because I had learned how to create so much with my head that there was no room for expression left. It became more like an adventure and was far more enjoyable to create than I had expected.

The challenge to deconstruct the previous portraits of Jesus's face and message was complex at first, and then quite simple. When you boil down the meaning of it all you end up with a black and white understanding of it all (or all that you humanly can at least). We are compiled of temptations/sin and love. The black representing evil, sin, temptations, darkness; the white representing love, will power, hope and faith. There is a battle between the two worlds, but the white wins; God wins. You can see the war especially when standing in front of this portrait. The white middle of the painting draws your eyes in and locks it there. It is guarded, comforting and safe from the darkness and always welcoming you back if you do examine the outside.

Another comparison to make is when we open the Bible we see that God's words are the power. We cannot access the power unless we have the book open! In the painting, the middle is so strong and powerful as to represent God's love and words too. The shape of the white portion is intentional as well. It's shape resembles a door but to me it's more like a hallway made of light that leads you to the lord. Depending on where you are on your spiritual journey/relationship it may seem closer or farther away from you. But the main thing is we can all fit through it.

Last but not least, the portrait caters to a future vision in its simplified nature. In a roundabout way this series was created to bring me closer to Jesus by distracting me with a good placeholder image so that I can mentally move on knowing that and dig deeper with him. This simple nonrepresentational version of Him is really easy to enjoy without getting caught in all of the other details my mind has taken me to; like a calm mental break that is quiet, yet solid. 

My new found appreciation of this visual language had a good lesson for me as an artist and person. It's also fun to see how art doesn't have to be planned out all the time. Practicing intuitive painting is great exercise for living life according to God's plan by listening and careful observation. 

 

 

ART HISTORY NOTE: Before World War II, Paris had been the epicenter for most new modern art trends. After World War II, New York City emerged as a major center for artists. Abstract Art is one of the biggest art movements to happen, and it started in NYC around the 1940's. However, Wassily Kandinsky (known as the grandfather of Abstract Art) started painting abstract compositions in 1900, along with some other early Expressionists. A movement similar to Abstract Art was launched in the early 1900s in Italy called Futurism. One of the most extreme styles of Abstract Art was called Suprematism where a Russian Artist (Kasimir Malevich) painted a white square on a white background.