Art is also the result of our human impulse to find expression for that something within us that responds to the stimuli surrounding us, crying out to be expressed, to find meaning in beauty, or terror, or sex, or something as mundane as food, and to reflect this in a form, a medium that produces a response – awe, excitement, disgust, wonder, even shock or anger – in those around us.
Art says something in a way that nothing else can, and the something that art says is so qualitatively different that it demands a radically different expression. Where linear, logical thinking may produce prose with a specific function – information or historical record or critical analysis or instruction – art selects and reflects on a small slice of human experience and lays it out there, a gift to anyone who is willing to savor it and enter into the artist’s experience even in a minimal way. The artist, ideally, communicates experience in images and forms so precisely tailored, so personal, so multileveled that its insights go far beyond bare facts or mere usefulness.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
I would have listened and understood with my head.
But when, instead, I heard the poetry of David, my heart heard and my soul was comforted.
“Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs. Psalm 12:6
I will arise. I will set him in safety. For which he longs.
Amen.
I am writing in community today with other members of theHighCalling.org, considering together over the next few weeks Breath for the Bones – Art, Imagination, and Spirit: Reflections on Creativity and Faith, by Luci Shaw. Visit theHighCalling.org today to see what others are saying about chapters 1 and 2 of the book. Then, pick up a copy for yourself and read/write along with us. Next week we will cover chapters 3 and 4.
This is beautiful, Charity. So let it be known, that exquisite beauty can be wrought from pain. You did it here. I am praying for you, and hoping for the best outcome.
In the meantime, so enjoying your reflections here on art as the language of our souls. It just wraps around me this morning like an embrace.
Oh Charity friend, I am praying, praying right now for a positive and more conclusive test today. I am a worrier, such a a worrier, so I do get that. It’s so hard to hand it all over, isn’t it? But so glad you found hope and solace in those verses. He is with you.
And we are, too…
Charity, the word prose means ‘in a straight line’…a track life often refuses to take, huh? But poetry is more loopy, circuitous, full of dips, turns, surprises both welcome and dreaded…but indicative of a life deeply lived, soulful even…
I said a prayer for you…I hope you are well soon.
You have been in my prayers, sweet friend. Though I have not known this specific fear, I will say that there have been times in my life when the only comfort I’ve found is in beauty. Sometimes, when it seems God’s voice is silent, all I need do is step out on the stoop on a starlit night and His presence fills everything. Love to you.
So good, Charity. It reminds me of why I wrote poetry instead of prose this morning–I needed art (or, perhaps, therapy).
Praying as you wait for results.
I’ve been struggling with my back, and here you struggling with something that seems more serious, and we both turned to Luci Shaw’s book, and found beauty, even in the midst of pain and illness.