Art becomes a way to God
Through his artistic creativity, man appears more than ever in the image of God and he accomplishes this task above all in shaping the wondrous material of his own humanity and then exercising creative dominion over the universe that surrounds him.
There is a remarkable similarity between the art of forming oneself and that which takes place in the transformation of matter.
In both of these tasks the starting point is always a gift from above.
If artistic creation has need of inspiration, the journey of the spirit has need of grace, which is the gift by which God communicates himself,
surrounding our lives with his love, lighting our steps and knocking at our hearts until he can dwell in them and make them temples of his holiness:
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our home with him” Jn 14:23
God lets himself be glimpsed in your spirit through the fascination of beauty and your longing for it.
Without doubt, the artist has a special relationship to beauty,
and it can be said that beauty is “the vocation bestowed on him by the Creator”
If the artist can perceive a ray of the supreme beauty
among the many manifestations of the beautiful,
then art becomes a way to God.
John Paul II during the celebration of the Jubilee of Artists — February 19, 2000
Icons on wood and on cloth
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things have been created through him and for him. Col 1:15-16
In silent prayer, fasting and vigils, the icons of Christ, of the Virgin and of the saints are written (this is the term used for the creation of icons) according to the tradition of the east, with its theology and wisdom.
"Art for art's sake, which refers all to the artist without establishing a connection with the world of the divine, does not have a place in the Christian conception of the icon. Whatever style may be adopted, all sacred art must express the faith and the hope of the Church. The tradition of the icon shows that the artist must be conscious of fulfilling a mission in the service of the Church.
John Paul II
Statues in wood and dolomite
The sculptor measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of a man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a house. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. Isaiah 44:13-14
Statues inspired by the Roman or Gothic traditions are a work of prayer.
Drawing from the high era of Christian art, the monks and monastic sisters attempt to offer this heritage of faith in their artwork.
Medals
He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being ... and he is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb 1:3
"The Art of the Church should try to speak the language of the Incarnation, and with matter, express the One who daigned to dwell in matter and operate our salvation through matter, according to the beautiful expression of Saint John Damascene." II
John Paul II
Incense and essential oils
Like cinnamon and acanthus, I have yielded a perfume, like choice myrrh, I have breathed out a scent, like galbanum, onycha, labdanum, like the smoke of incense in the tent. Si 24:15
Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3.
John 12, 3
Candles
« “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” » John 8:12
« In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. »
John 1: 4-5
Metal work
The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes with the anvil. Is 41:7
Currently, an artwork of metal is beginning with the production of sacred objects with the techniques of repoussé and engraving, according to the heritage of the Middle East (Syria and Iraq).
Woodworking
A man who is too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. Is 40:20
Leather
Paul found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together - by trade they were tentmakers. Acts 18:2–3
Stoneware tableware
«Lord, You are our Father; we are clay and You formed us; we all are the work of Your Hands.» Isaiah 64:7
If the nun works the earth, she also experiences the earth working her: she “listens” to the material, which makes her present to herself, to others, to God. She finds her “rightful place” as clay in the hands of her Creator.
Each unique piece passes through the hands of several sisters, and above all through their unique hearts.
The motifs and shapes chosen reflect the simplicity of the desert. The nuns are keen to offer simple beauty, bringing peace, serenity and joy, which they receive as they work.
Decorated earthenware
The pottery is decorated according to ancient eastern traditions: Philistine, Egyptian, Moroccan, etc. There is also a western design: Rouen.
The desire for artistic beauty is rooted above all in spiritual beauty. God is beauty. The environment and the manner in which one chooses to live flow from that fact, even in all the details. The decoration of the pottery is accomplished with precise gestures that express the love of God and love for the person who will receive the pottery. This artistic attention is in view of the dignity of the human person.
Honey
Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey. Dt 6:3
Biscuits
Jesus said: "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." Lc 13:20-21
Sweets
"Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love." Sg 2:5
