"Christian Art" charity art exhibition

(Click to enlarge)

Harapan Komuniti is a non-profit organisation that helps the poor by providing them with education, training and counseling, running HIV/AIDS, youth and children's programmes, and engages in disaster-relief efforts.

It is funded by individuals and organisations which believe in its work.

While the organisation has many plans for the future, finance stands in the way of realising its dream of setting up a one-stop centre for these disadvantaged children and youth.

As operational costs increase each year, the organisation has stepped up efforts to fund the programmes to provide for the needs of the children.

Recently, a group of 10 artists and a potter joined hands to raise funds for Harapan Komuniti through the sale of their work.

The charity art exhibition, themed “Christian Art”, was recently launched by Glad Tidings Assembly of God pastor Ng Koon Seng at Galeri Dunia Seni Lukis in Cheras.

It features 62 paintings, with prices ranging from RM400 to RM12,000.

Dunia Seni Lukis Sdn Bhd (DSLSB) business development director Liew Kian Yap said apart from local artists, the group included some from Indonesia and South Korea and they had agreed to contribute 40% of the proceeds from the sale of their work to the Harapan Komuniti charity fund.

Liew said 50% of the proceeds would go to the artists and 10% to DSLSB. The exhibition runs until July 31.

“This two-week exhibition is a run-up to the International Contemporary Art Fair 2008, which will be held at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre on Nov 26,” Liew said.

Among the artists taking part in the exhibition is Fred Galan, who has spent 44 years in the field and attributes his passion for painting to God who has given him the talent.

The others are Marivel Galan, Elisha Farida Mursalim, Ni Wayan Handoko, Pastor Chong Kengsen, Lyn Deutsch, Lam Le Siang, Yong Dong Kyu, Tommy McKoi – whose name, incidentally, is derived from his depictions of the Japanese Koi, Mary Easaw Thomas and pottery specialist Alex Tan.

“I am a firm believer in missions,” said Lam, who began his artistic career in 1974 after graduating from the Nanyang Academy Fine Arts, Singapore.

Pottery specialist Tan said his success or failure came precisely at the moment he opened the kiln.

“I draw my strength and inspiration from God. I pray before I open the kiln, entrusting the final result to God. I have done my best and leave the rest to Him,’’ said Tan.

The exhibition is open from 11am to 8pm daily except on Mondays and public holidays.

For further information, call 03-9286 3385 or visit www.artmalaysia.com.my

(Source: The Star)

Using the Arts to teach

After a thought-provoking and eye-opening sermon on "Christian Response to the Arts", Pastor Chong Keng Sen conducted a very interesting workshop on the "Positive Use of the Arts for Bible Teaching".

Here's what happened. We were divided into 10 groups of about 3 to 4 persons each. Each group was given an empty flower pot. We were then asked to write or draw anything that came to mind on the pots.




Next, we were told to smash the pots into pieces! Ouch! The adults were a little apprehensive at first but the kids just could not wait to do the "honours"!




So, now what? We were then required to piece them back together, that's what. Okay, that's not going to be so easy.





So, armed with a glue gun, we began trying to stick the broken pieces together.




If that does not work, maybe cellophane or masking tape might...




Well, if you don't know where the pieces go, this solution may work...




Now, that is one really smashed up pot. But, no fear... with some glue, lots of cellophane tape (and patience!) and paint, it's transformed into a work of abstract pot-ty art!




Wow, this one looks like new.




This sure is one masterpiece. So creative. What was once a flower pot is now a, well... New Creation.



Another work of art...




Time to reveal the exhibits.




So, what was this exercise all about? It's about how we were once broken (we sinned) and now in the hands of the Great Potter (God), we are made anew. Pieces that are useless and do not fit anymore are discarded.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Corin. 5:17

One commentator states, "For Paul, "the old" which has gone, is the condition of alienation from God and its bondage to sin. "The new" which has come is our relationship with God in Christ, a relationship which empowers us for a kind of living in which the continuing reality of sin can be overcome again and again.

To be a "new creation" is not to be perfect or faultless, or immune from anger and pain, or insulated from the tough experiences of life. Rather, to be a "new creation" is to live a life turned toward the God whose grace has reclaimed us in Christ."

(Brauch, Manfred T. Hard Sayings Of Paul. 1989. Downers Grove, IL InterVarsity Press. p. 186).

It can be concluded, therefore, that just as Adam and Eve lived unbound from sin at least for a time in the Garden of Eden we can thus live unbound from sin in Christ Jesus today.

The Arts, if used in a positive and creative way, can be a very effective means to share the Gospel and teach Biblical truths.