Catholics are being invited to reflect on the importance of art and artists, as the Church marks the Jubilee of Artists from February 15-18.
The Jubilee of Artists is one of dozens of major events under the banner of the Jubilee year, which has the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”.
As part of the celebrations, the National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council – an expert advisory body to the Bishops Commission for Liturgy of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference – has issued an “Invitation to Artists”.
The document appeals to artists to take inspiration from God to “offer us the possibility of entering more deeply into the meaning and purpose of all that exists”.
“Yes, art and artists can make a difference!
“The transformations wrought by artists begin with the material world. Clay becomes a ceramic. Stone becomes a sculpture. Pigment becomes a painting. Sound becomes a song.
“But the artist does more than engage with the material world. Your work changes our perspective, our way of seeing the world.”
The statement concludes: “We encourage parishes and support them in taking every opportunity to receive good works of religious and sacred art so that, having left your studio, they may inspire us in the Christian life.”
Bishops’ delegate to the council, Bishop of Toowoomba Ken Howell, encouraged parishes to engage more closely with artists and architects, and for artists to read and reflect on the invitation.
“Art is at its best when it is prophetic and brings inspiration,” Bishop Howell said.
“We should be harnessing the gifts and insights of our artists in our worshipping communities, to better lead people to praise and worship God.”
Canberra iconographer Sue Orchison said artists who are welcomed into the life of a parish can contribute to the beauty of the liturgy and liturgical space by use of their unique and rich gifts.
“In many ways, art can play a part in helping to break open the Word as each artist brings colour and beauty to the visual encounter,” she said.
“Works of art provoke conversation, and provide a space for meditation, a place to stop and ponder, to ask a question or just to sit and soak in the peace.
“Art draws us beyond words, beyond ourselves to hope and dream. It touches the part of us that yearns to understand the mystery of life.”
She said she delighted in working with parishes “to express a glimpse of the love of God”.
“As an iconographer, when working on a piece of art I spend much time researching the subject.
“This opens the path for me to delve into the lives of saints, for example. I get to know them and be inspired by lives that are expressions of their love of God.”
The Invitation to Artists can be found at the Australian Catholic Liturgical Art website An Invitation To Artists – Australian Catholic Liturgical Art
Photograph: Holy Spirit icon by Sue Orchison.
A video of Sue Orchison can be found here (courtesy of Catholic Voice)