Denver Seminary Bridge Gallery: Genesis Exhibit
Genesis: noun- an origin, creation or beginning
This exhibition ran during the Spring semester of 2010.
Curatorial Statement:
The Bridge Gallery titles its 2010 inaugural exhibition, Genesis, which means “beginnings” or “origin.” Depictions of light, seeds, growth, and transformations lace the hall with wonder and awe. Metaphors of beginnings, relationships, and grace evoke God’s desire to have a people set apart to worship Him. Just as God’s Spirit was actively involved in the creation of the world, His Spirit is actively involved in the hearts of the artists that have filled the walls of the Bridge Gallery, and, “it is good.”
God’s glory is declared through the unified voice of the Genesis’ artists. Sarah Collins imagines God calling up each plant from the earth individually, and with the utmost care in her oil paintings on wood while Eric Anthony Hinds’ surreal oils envision the creative force that branches all creation back into the Creator Father. Erik Hall’s Split, presents the vision of tension in light and dark, calm and fear and is juxtaposed with the personal reflection of Christen Mattix’s ink sketching of The Family Reunionwhere the fire of the Holy Spirit purifies and destroys dysfunctional family dynamics. Bethany Schuette adds to the trials and triumphs of a spiritual journey as a testament of God’s work with her charcoal Hands of Surrenderto trust in God. Sandra Ceas also challenges the viewer to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit with her etched mirror piece Counselor that blends the surroundings of the exterior world with the vision of oneself.
Along with the gestures of Pamela Dykhouse’s prints, Sarah Vander Neut’s papier-mâché, and Randal Sackerson’s multiple image photograph inspired by God’s creation, the eclectic collection of Genesis presents the hope in our Savior as depicted in the illuminating ceramic Bethlehem, the glittering mosaic Arise, the sparkle of Unto a Point, the reaching hand of the cradled babe Immanuel and the gentle reminder of Salvationin Maryann Leake Balsley’s watercolor on paper. Oh yes, “it is good.”
Entries and Artists' Statements:
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Sandra Ceas, “Bethlehem”
Ceramic on linen In my art making process remnants from one piece usually emerge in another work of art. Bethlehem’s small ceramic pieces came from a larger piece called “Time Heals,” and in time, these small remnants found their rightful place as a star symbolizing the beginning of time in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.
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Erik Hall, “Immanuel”
Digital painting – Gicleé on canvas God with us. He made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. He is a man like us in every way save one. He was without sin. Look and wonder at the babe in a manger. How does the fullness of God dwell with the fullness of man?
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Maryann Leake Baisley, “Salvation”
Watercolor on paper Grace passes over us. After the fall we rely on the blood of the Lamb to reunite us with our Creator.
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Sandra Ceas, “Counselor”
Laser etched mirror in wood frame In “Counselor” the mirror draws the viewer in to encounter the surface etching of a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. The dove is passing through a geometric pattern emulating the systematic construction of stained glass windows while an impression of Christ’s cross lingers in the background. My intention with this piece is to create a barrier between a complete impression of oneself and the veiling of the Holy Spirit’s presence. It is my hope to evoke a response from the viewer that causes a pause of contemplation, an awareness of God’s presence in their life, and empowerment to stand fi rm as a testimony to Him.
(John 15:26) |
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Sarah Collins, “ Hover”
Oil and mixed media on wood “Hover” is the first of a series of paintings on the creation story as recounted in the book of Genesis. This painting represents the moments before creation. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2, NIV)
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Sarah Collins, “Grow”
Oil and mixed media on wood “Grow” represents the third day of creation as accounted in the first book of Genesis when God called forth the dry ground, seed-bearing plants, and trees. The solitary bud growing from the ground represents the love I see God showing his creation. I imagine him calling up each plant from the earth individually and with the utmost care.
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Sarah Vander Neut, “Winter”
Acrylic on papier-mâché There is much matter that could be transformed into something beautiful. After a little bit of collection and scavenging, I was able to make a series of pop-out-paintings, like this one, out of recycled paper, cardboard, and Styrofoam. “Winter” was inspired by many runs that I have had around Wash Park, in Denver, on frigid winter mornings.
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Randall Sackerson, “Arriviste”
Photograph – Multiple images “Arriviste” means one who arrives without being recognized. The creature in the photograph is in the process of being created, of arriving at the state of completion. Hence it is representative of a beginning. “Arriviste” is composed of several images whose relevant elements were isolated, removed, and recombined on a new canvas. It is not montage, nor is it collage, but a combination of these two artistic devices.
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I observe what I see from the outside and inside of myself in order to synthesize elements of time and eternity into a vision that at times expresses ambiguity, and other times, concrete form. There is a place that I call the “borderland,” that exists between the conscious and the unconscious. This is the land where potentials arrive from the heights and the depths to be transformed into actuals. The borderland is where the soul sits, from this vantage point there is a universal language that can bridge the illusionary gap between areas like art/science, chaos/solution, and human/divine. My paintings are an expression of spirit connecting forces synchronized with time, all branching back into the Father. I refer to my paintings as Spiritual Weapons of Mass Construction.
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Pamela Dykhouse, “From the Start”
Monoprint “From the Start” is part of a study on my relationship with nature and God. I explored color combinations and the relationship of values in an atmosphere of differing texture and light. The strength and complexity of something starting from a small, fragile spot reminds me of how great God is and how small I am.
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Pamela Dykhouse, “Rejoice”
Woodprint I am intrigued by the methods and materials of printmaking. Traditional printmaking depends on directness and challenges the spontaneity that I was working to achieve. “Rejoice” takes the viewer’s eyes both vertically and horizontally through the spatial paradox generated by contrasted layers of color and thin red and turquoise lines. My hope is that the spontaneity would convey the feeling of rejoicing.
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Erik Hall, “Split”
Digital painting – Gicleé on canvas When I was learning to pay particular attention, listening, even looking for God’s speaking, I saw this vision:
I am the tree
Split by the Word Shot like Lightening Bone and Marrow Soul and Spirit Phased I am the tree
Splayed all to see Calm and Frightening Light and Dark Turmoil and Tumult Assuaged I am the tree
Dipped in the Blood Like Hyssop Brushed Post and Lintel Red Handed - Center Page |
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Christen Mattix, “The Family Reunion”
Ink and matches “The Family Reunion” depicts a broken-down shack with matches arranged in a row beneath it, one match for each member of my family. The matches evoke the fi re of the Holy Spirit which purifies and destroys dysfunctional family dynamics. Although severe, the piece is very much about a hope for a new beginning for my family.
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Bethany Schuette, “Hands of Surrender”
Charcoal Most of my current pieces are inspired by the trial and triumphs of my spiritual journey. They are testaments of God’s work in my life. These hands, for example, were birthed out of my struggle to completely surrender in trust to God. I lived my life in fear, close fisted, until I asked God to use my small amount of willingness to change me. As my journey continued my hands opened little by little, until they stood fully open ready to receive anything from the Lord. These hands are my journey of the genesis of uninhibited trust.
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Sarah Collins , “Arise”
Tile, glass and mirror “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
(Isaiah 60:1) “Arise” is made whole by joining together small parts of various materials. Similar to the pieces of a mosaic, we were each created to uniquely refl ect the Lord’s glory as members of the greater story of creation and redemption. The mirror in the mosaic reflects viewers and their surroundings and if we look, we can see ourselves, those around us, and the glory that God has placed within us.
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Eric Anthony Hinds, “Seedivine”
Oil on canvas See Artist’s Statement above for “Inner Man”
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Erik Hall, “Unto A Point”
Digital painting – Framed photographic print While praying for a friend regarding her difficulties in a relationship with a Christian sister I saw the coming together of two separate strands through God’s unifying power. “It is not by might, and not by power, but by My Spirit” says the Lord of Hosts. We are under-girded and enabled unto a point! A singularity! A unity!
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Sales
Sales of pieces will be allowed, though buyers will not be allowed to collect their purchase until after the closing of the show. Artists can set their own prices and will work directly with those who are interested in purchasing their piece. Artists agree to pay a 10% commission to Denver Seminary for any pieces they sell during the show. Commission checks should be made payable to Denver Seminary; please write "Bridge Gallery" on the memo line.
About the Curator
Sandra Jean Ceas is an artist exhibiting internationally. She is a professor of art at Colorado Christian University and Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, and previously served as a gallery assistant at Walter and McBean Galleries in San Francisco. She acquired her MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. You can learn more about her and view some of her art on her website.
About the Jury
The jury for "Genesis" consists of members of Denver Seminary's art committee, which includes staff, faculty, students, alumni, and volunteers.
