For Art's Sake

Have you ever stopped to consider what a strange thing “art” is? Take a painting for example; an artist has an idea, a spark of inspiration, or a scene that they wish to capture, so they copy it down onto a canvas. Then someone sees the painting and thinks it is beautiful, or meaningful in some way, so they hang it up on their wall, where it sits, and sits, and continues sitting. So, what is it doing? What purpose does it serve?

First off, what do I mean by art? The genre of art is extremely broad and multi-faceted, so let’s narrow it down. GeneVeith, in his book State of the Arts, explains: “Aesthetics, the perception of beauty in all its forms, is at the essence of the arts and imparts richness to everyday life. Some objects are created solely for their aesthetic and intellectual appeal; these are the works which end up in museums.” In my time with you today, we will look at the visual arts; objects created solely for study and contemplation. But what exactly are we studying and contemplating?

Three aspects which should always be considered when observing art are the subject of what is being portrayed, how well the artist portrays it, and the ideas that seep into their creation. When these are combined, art becomes a form of communication. For instance, Rembrandt’s work The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, shows the miracle of Jesus calming the storm. On the left side of the painting is chaos, violent waves crash against the boat and the disciples are in distress, but on the right side of the painting, where Jesus sits, all is calm and still. Rembrandt uses this historical moment to showcase not just an accurate depiction of storms, but the sovereignty and peace of Jesus. In a way, great artists are similar to great orators, who can move nations with their words, either for a just cause like Churchill, or for a corrupted one like Hitler; artists have the power to influence through the messages they proclaim.

Everyone acknowledges that art surrounds us in the culture, and access to various creations and artists only grows with the media. But as usual, when people from diverse backgrounds and worldviews mix, differing opinions spark arguments. People clash about what art should look like, what ideas it should reflect, and what purpose it should serve. The answers to these questions are constantly shifting with the culture. For instance, during the Renaissance, art was used to capture and to convey deep, thought-provoking messages and imagery, but the culture today does not uphold the same values. Many of the ideas now dominating the media claim that artists must reflect the ugliness and hopelessness of the modern world, because that is what is real and true. I believe however, that the platform of art has fallen its true potential. If art is a form of communication, then every artist has a chance to proclaim a message that is true and worth hearing, a message that is not shaped by the culture, but can shape it instead. These are the three reasons why I believe that art can become a bridge to something greater than itself: because it can connect us to God, connect us to others, and connect us to the past.

Firstly, art has a greater purpose because it can relate us to our Maker. As His image bearers, we are compelled to reflect His attributes. It is in our nature to create and imitate what we see. One of the greatest privileges of creating a painting, or a sculpture is that for a moment, you are allowed to look through a window into God’s mind, “thinking his thoughts after him” as Johannes Kepler phrased it. An artist who paints a tree is simply repeating God’s brushstrokes. These brushstrokes, however, can be used to glorify or to reject God. The message of many contemporary artists reflects our culture’s rebellion toward the Creator. But Christians should not be led astray by these sandy foundations of thought. Instead, we can create and study art that declares an idea which glorifies God. This does not necessarily mean that every artwork must be explicitly Christian. For example, one of my favorite artists, Hayao Miyazaki, creates beautiful complex movies, combining detailed illustration, moving music, and fulfilling stories in a way which captures imagination and emotion. So even though Miyazaki is not a Christian, his artwork can still glorify God as it tells people how creation can be beautiful and should be respected, and how love can overcome hatred and war. Messages like these, which at their core honor the Creator, can bring us closer to Him as we study, enjoy, and create art.

Furthermore, visual works of art can knit together communities. People gather to contemplate art, to create it, and to learn from each other. When this happens, communities are built which can either foster fellowship or form divides. For instance, some contemporary artists and critics have replaced the standard of beauty, with the standard of shock. Gene Veith confronts this saying, “The major purpose of artists such as Mapplethorpe and Serrano is to shock people… And yet, many of the most dedicated patrons refuse to be shocked. They smile and nod knowingly. They think, How interesting. They experience the exquisite pleasure of feeling sophisticated, of belonging to an elite group who ‘gets it,’ while looking down on those who do not.” These artists have twisted the community of art into a hierarchy of taste. But, the art society can be so much richer than this.

People can use art to reach out to others in encouragement and teaching. I have always loved drawing and creating, from when my mother first taught me how to hold a pencil, to when my grandmother taught me to paint, to when I sketch with my friends and sister. Sitting and drawing with them, watching as they design characters, think up fantastical creatures, and tell stories through single pictures, my love for creation constantly grows. So, whether two artists come together over an empty canvas, or a group of art enthusiasts over a masterpiece, God can use this field to accomplish His plan and bring glory to his name.

Finally, the medium of art can connect us to the past. Art is often used as a visual record of history. Images commemorate people and events, like the portraits of past presidents which are displayed in the white house, or the many depictions of Jesus’ birth and adoration. Monuments are raised to salute soldiers and honor heroes. From monuments and images like these, archeologists have gleaned incredible information. Ancient cultures can still reach us today through works of art that have been preserved over the years. But how will we be remembered? What are we treasuring in our museums? We can either conform to the culture of ugly, hopeless art, or we can seek change and renewal by creating a culture of excellence and meaning.

For all this, many of the world’s art critics still emphasize the idea that contemporary art must reflect the ugliness and hopelessness of culture. They believe that it is the goal of art to mirror society. Because of the oppression people experience, art must portray pain; because of the corruption of human nature, art must be twisted and disfigured; because there is no greater meaning for man’s existence, art must be hopeless. When the 12 year old composer Alma Deutscher was faced with these critiques, she responded, “I already know the world is complex and can be very ugly, but I think that these people have got a little bit confused. If the world is so ugly than what is the point of making it even uglier with ugly music… I think that most people actually go to concerts because they want to hear beautiful music; music full of melodies that you can hum or sing; music that speaks to the heart; music that makes you want to smile, or cry, or dance. There’s enough ugliness in the world, I want to write beautiful music, music that makes the world a better place.” The same is true with art. Yes, it can be used to express hopelessness, but it has the potential to express so much more.

So, despite the dominant idea that art must mirror societies ugly and hopeless state, Christians should not give in to this outlook, but instead change the outlook of others through true, meaningful, and hopeful creation.

In conclusion, visual art has a very real purpose; it is a window that reveals something greater than itself. This window can be used to expose our God, expand our mission field, and extend our stories. This matters to you because as Christians we know that we will be held accountable for the messages we proclaim. The messages of art has been turned away from God’s glory and focused instead on man. So, let us take back this platform for God’s glory. As Jesus has reclaimed us from sin and death, let us reclaim the arts, from sin and hopelessness.