CHRISTIAN FINE ART GALLERY > JOHN THE BAPTIST ARTWORKS SERIES > The Jesus Fabrication
Original Artwork: Paper Collage on Cardboard, 61cm x 183 cm (2′ x 6′)
Our perceptions of Jesus are based upon the information we receive about him. We then assemble it into an image of Jesus in our minds. This image of Jesus is distinctly different from the real Jesus. This collage clearly exemplifies this, for it is only a fabrication of Jesus, not Jesus. We must seek the real Person of Jesus, and he will reveal himself to us (See Message).
Artist’s Reflection:
“All who worship images are put to shame…” (Psalm 97:7)
“…their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:4-8)
If we have never met Jesus personally, we will assemble an image of Jesus in our minds. We may use excerpts from Jesus films, plays, books and art. Some of us may use things said by old Sunday school teachers, outspoken Christians and tele-evangelists. Others may use information from “so called” scholars and historians and even Scriptures from the Bible to assemble their images of Jesus in their minds.
Whatever the finished product may be, it is a complete fabrication of Jesus. It is an image of Jesus, not Jesus.
This art piece is a crudely fashioned image of Jesus, assembled much like the ones in our heads. My purpose in doing it is to awaken us to the fact that there is a difference between our perception of Jesus and the actual, real Person of Jesus, who is alive today. The first is a lifeless image, the latter is a real, Living Person!
If we rely on assembling and interacting with an image of Jesus, even if it be from the very Scriptures themselves, it is still not actually Jesus Himself, and Christianity will be to us an empty, dead religion instead of a personal, experiential, saving relationship with the Living God.
When Jesus reveals himself to us, he strips away all our false images of him.
We must seek God until we find him. We are assured by God that we WILL find him when we seek him with all our hearts, for he promises us:
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, ‘ declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 29:12-14)
Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
To learn how to enter into a personal relationship with God, see Message.
To read about how God revealed himself to me and to others see About The Artist and Photographer and Salvation Testimonies
See also:
What About You? Who Do You Say I Am?” (John the Baptist Artworks Series)