ART PRIZE WIN
The Modern Tree of Life
60 x 40cm
Prismacolor pencils on Canson pastel board
Over the weekend I won the annual Holy Trinity Art Prize in Launceston.
To explain my painting I have included an artist’s statement.
My painting is the story of 2 trees.
The first tree was “TheTree of Life”, that grew in the Garden of Eden. It was also called “The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil”. Adam and Eve were both forbidden by God that under no circumstances were they to eat the fruit of this tree.
By leaving this tree alone, and simply admiring it they were given everything they needed including immortality. Life was good in the Garden of Paradise!
But it all went ‘apple-shaped’. The Garden of Paradise quickly evaporated, as did Adam and Eve’s quality of life. Their disobedience cost them (and mankind) dearly.
Eve and Adam both ate the fruit, despite God’s warning to Adam that “in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). As a consequence of their transgression the land, the Serpent, Adam, and Eve were each cursed by God. To prevent them access to the tree of life, God cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden.
Time passed and history recalls the struggles that following generations had. Life was often hard with few rewards. Gone were the days of paradise. Empires came and went, as did prophets and Kings. Loyalty and obedience to God fluctuated and there came a time when very few called the Creator their God.
Seeing what was occurring, God made a truly remarkable decision, and sent His son to earth in order to save the souls that had deserted Him and put right this world of ours.
Jesus’ short, but powerful ministry, met a cruel and savage end by those who called themselves leaders in His own Church. Jesus knew however, that His death would atone for all the wrong that had been done and His resurrection would inspire millions to become true believers.
The cross that Jesus died on is the most powerful symbol in the history of the world. It is recognised by all races whether religious or agnostic and its relevance is eternal. For most, it symbolises death. For the true believers, it’s the symbol of resurrection, of eternal life and of hope.
It is indeed the “Modern Tree of Life”.
Richard
August 6, 2012 at 1:14 am
What a wonderful statement not only regarding the painting but the story of Christs’ suffering and pain so we could be forgiven. Very powerful and moving interpretation Richard.
August 6, 2012 at 2:20 am
Thank you, Gerry. This is one painting where writing a statement wasn’t a difficult task.
August 6, 2012 at 7:02 am
Congratulations Richard on your interpretation!
August 6, 2012 at 7:05 am
Thank you Edna.
August 6, 2012 at 7:55 am
Congratulations Richard on a wonderful piece of work! You are a well-deserved winner! I love the statement about the meaning of the painting. Well done !
August 6, 2012 at 8:39 am
Thanks Eileen. It was interesting that there wasn’t any requirement to submit an artist’s statement before judging, so I’m very pleased it was seen to be good enough to win. Apparently next year there will be a statenment required which I fully support.
August 6, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Congratulations Richard … great to see you back in the Launceston mix!
August 7, 2012 at 12:28 am
Thanks Mary, it’s good to be back in the local mix.
August 13, 2012 at 6:44 am
I think your comment on the new blog ring very true for all. Very well written. I look forward to see more here.
August 13, 2012 at 7:13 am
Thank you xursarn for commenting.
November 3, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Why the triangle on top of the Cross?
And by the way… I first saw this in thumbnail size and thought there stood a robed and hooded figure (I didn’t see the cross at first), so it intrigued me even more.
November 4, 2012 at 1:09 am
Hi Litha, the triangle is the symbol for the Holy Trinity. The resurrection and subsequent ascension of Jesus completed the Trinitarian composition of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.