Personal Art Series

Series name:

 Fact vs. Truth

When the Truth presents itself, even solid facts must surrender to it, and therefore are subject to change.

The recurring bronze figure in each painting is a statue, made in the 1800's by Italian artist Umberto Boccioni. The name of the statue is 'Continuity In Space'. Boccioni created this statue during the Italian industrial era, making a point that as a fast paced society many technological advancements have been created, but as humans they've gone nowhere. This is why the figure appears to be in motion, but keep in mind, it's a statue.

The first painting 'Fact vs Truth - The Inevitable Race' is the framework for the entire series. The statue here (and in the other 6 paintings) is to exemplify and replicate people as statues (specifically referencing myself as this statue), as well as the things we allow to statue our lives. We see all over the world, a growing competitive behavior with one another. Everyone seems to be in a jostling race, but for a prize that's never really won. Its an inevitable, never ending race usually driven of pride. Pride enables us to chase false ambitions, lie to ourselves, and pretend who we are in an audience of others. The statue captures and reiterates our mere stubborn pride.

What are we running after? What are our life goals? Who are we, really? From childhood to adulthood, we've compromised morale to maintain particular ideals about ourselves. In those ideals is where we found acceptance - typically defined by who/what society says we are, or where we gain acceptance. This is where false identity creeps in and tries to conquer, when we let what we do define who we are (the facts). Rather, as Believers, it should be that who we are is the conduit for what we do (the truth). In knowing who we truly are, we can begin to come into a sense of being in Christ. However, false identity will have us living for comfort, vain desire, and the love of money, selfishness, pleasure and security - all of which equate to emptiness. Sure, in such a hollow reality we can feel good about what we do, look good while doing it, and even feel a sense of achievement in what we've done. Though, these are all temporal facts.. until Truth appears and those things begin to crumble.

The statue is referenced to spotlight how idle life becomes when we remove Jesus from the picture,  and give ourselves over to things that are getting us nowhere. All the while, the substance of Truth is ever rendering that no matter how great or how low we think we are, or how good or bad we think we have it, things may not be what they seem. The whole Truth is that we are in desperate need of a Savior. Only Jesus Christ can reveal your purpose, and ultimately true identity. Unlike facts, Truth isn't constrained by the limitations of time.

What would Truth change in your life today? It is only in Christ that we can have real Love, real Joy and real Peace from someone who receives us as we are and makes us the best us we can be, in Him. It is only in Christ that we can authentically live Life and a life that is more abundant - because He is LIFE!

So, until we come to the Truth, we'll continue running this race, constantly moving and doing, and getting nowhere. God is the only escape from the race which is the finish line and as you can see in the first painting, not many are there. Their silhouette entails that they have escaped their false identity (unlike those we can identify in the race) and found their true identity, PURPOSE and life's meaning in Christ. We are all fantastic statues without God.

 Fact vs. Truth- The inevitable race
Oil on canvas with Sharpie Pens

12in x 36in
2016

 

What Aren't You Plugged Into?

16in x 20in

Oil on canvas

Text: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them. -2 Corinthians 4:3,4"
2016

 

 Inevitable Race II

Oil on canvas
16in x 20in
2016


Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Oil on canvas
18in x 20in
2016 

Triple Negative
Oil on Canvas
16in x 20in
2017

 You Are What You Make
Oil on Canvas
20in x 24in
2017

Iscariot
Oil, lamenated paper, wood glue and caulk on Cavas
16in x 20in
Text: JUDAS 1TIMOTHY 6:10
2018