It is the suffering already present in the world which we can either ignore or identify with. If pain were not real, if it were not the lot of so many, the way of the cross would be pathological. But in our world with its hungry and homeless and hopeless, it is pathological to live as if pain did not exist. The way of the cross means letting pain carve one’s life into a channel through which the healing stream of the spirit can flow to a world in need.
(Parker Palmer; The Promise of Paradox ) ( image by artist He Qi )
Hi Ron,
Who did this painting? I like it a lot.
Paige
Posted by: Paige | May 12, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Hi Paige, the artist is He Qi pronounced (huh chee ). An incredible story of how he came to faith during the cultural revolution in China. His fathers university in Nanjiing was shut down, and He was sent to farm to do hard labor. He saw an opportunity to get out of the farm through work by entering a contest to paint a portrait of Mao. A friend who was an artist taught him the basics, gave him some magazines.
Raphael's Madonna and Child was the cover of one of the magazines. "She was holding baby Jesus in a chair. It really touched my heart," said He Qi. It was the first Christian image He remembers seeing, and it conveyed a peace he still considers the distinguishing characteristic of Christianity.
His art inspires me, I love it, the bold colors and shapes...I would love to go to his gallery and spend a day.
Posted by: ron cole | May 13, 2009 at 09:12 AM
Thanks Ron,
I will look into it more...
I like it too the images are lasting, the colours alive and it has that 'eternal voice' to it.
blessings,
Paige
Posted by: Paige | May 13, 2009 at 10:44 AM