Creativity for the healing of the nations.

Healing of the Nations © Genesis+Art Studio

FROM OUR STUDIO:

We recently completed a body of work for the new Skainos Chapel in East Belfast, Northern Ireland. Thirteen in total, our prayer paintings are reflections on the writings of Genesis and the book of Revelation. This particular piece called Healing of the Nations is a reflection on Rev. 22:2, and the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations. Working in the studio on our painted prayers paralleled the US elections. With words and images of anger, power grabs and venomous attacks, people of power added their ingredients and stirred up an unhealthy pot of hatred and grinding away at our very souls.  Post election calls for revolution and revenge are a result of months of divisive language. We hope that we are not as divided and cynical as it seems. It was timely for us to be reflecting on healing.

Our reflections for healing are delicate and spiritual at best, perhaps like peace itself. Our process of painting together gives us a feeling that life is being generated when we turn towards one another. Drawing close to the vine gives us life, while separating isolates and stirs more despair and destruction. Creation is happening and is constantly evolving, as one-friend states it’s a verb.

Creativity and the act of creating opens a space where the possibility for a transcendent experience can take place. This is what creativity does. It is a circle, a circle of creativity and wholeness that opens a dialogue between the divine, the viewer and us. And many people know, from their experience either in giving birth to the creativity in them or to receiving it from others, that these become some of our most profound mystical experiences. When we are open to one another and connect our relationship to our creator, we will travel the rapids of creativity together on a raft over which we have no control. We’re being borne along by the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting in this process of renewal.

In the thirteenth century, St. Thomas Aquinas said, that the same spirit that hovered over the waters at the beginning of creation hovers over the mind of the artist at work. The work of creation, whether it happened six thousand years ago or 13.7 billion years ago is still going on today. Creation is continuous and we as humans, gifted with creativity, have a role in carrying this great work forward. We are also radically dangerous for this same reason as we carry within us this divine power of creativity.

When we imagine healing between us, and all nations, we see art as a visual language that helps transform divergence into dialogue. Art and creativity can empower us so that what was separate becomes whole, what was severed becomes healed, what was difference can become welcomed diversity. Perhaps moving us closer to the healing of nations.