WHO IS GOD?

“WHO IS GOD? LIGHT OF THE WORLD” — Midwest Exhibit is a juried exhibition of artwork created by 18 artists who took the challenge to respond with art and words to the statement "Who is God? Light of the World." The ARTS GROUP OF UNION AVENUE hosts an ARTISTS TALK Saturday, November 16, 6 – 8 p.m. — an opportunity to view the exhibit and hear artists talk about their work and process. View the exhibition catalog online (type “Who is God? Midwest Exhibit” in the search field), and stay up-to-date with Gallery happenings on Facebook. The exhibition is open daily through December 1.

The Revered Terrence E. Dempsey, S.J., Director Emeritus of the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art at Saint Louis University (MOCRA), was the juror of the exhibition. In his juror statement, Rev. Dempsey writes: “Who Is God” is a questions asked throughout the world and over the centuries, resulting in many different understandings of God. These understandings can overlap faith traditions, or at times lead to violent clashes.

“The artists in this exhibition are from the Christian and Jewish traditions with one Buddhist visual reference. There is but one figural representation of God in this exhibition titles “The Potter,” but there are numerous depictions of how God is made manifest in the world around us and in our own actions and interior lives.

“Regarding how God is revealed in the world around us, nearly half of the works in this exhibition use nature to reveal aspects of the divine, and these depictions are in a variety of styles. Some artists have used the styles of Expressionism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, and Color Field to express their vision of God, and one artist’s paintings suggest the influence of Cezanne. While there are many stylistic influences, these artworks succeed in evoking the sublime — the power, majesty, and beauty of God.

“The human figure is represented in nine of the works, mainly in an Expressionist mode. There are, however, three large narrative paintings that depict two historical figures in a more realistic mode, but figures in a time of crisis in their lives: one painting depicting the 16th century Spanish Saint John of God healing with his own insanity and finding a way out of that mental state through the compassion of God, and the other painting depicting the third century Roman soldier, St. Alexander, about to die for his faith rather than worship the emperor.

“St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, spoke about finding God in all things, and indeed, the artists in this exhibition have found God in a variety of ways, ranging from the grandeur of nature to the humble roadside stone slab bearing the simple blessing of St. Francis of Assisi, ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You.’

“I invite you to spend time with these works. They have moved me with their beauty and their insights into the reality of God and our relationship to God. I hope that they will also move you.”