Thinking about art and inspiration — Marian Fitz-Gibbon

THINK was the name of the RMB Art Fair at Turbine Hall Johannesburg.

There’s always been a stigma that art is a “feely” subject but when it comes to interpreting the signs of the seasons it’s often the artists who pick up what’s coming and going long before its translated it into something more sustainable.

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I like to think that artists and creatives are part of the prophets of society.

The RMB fair included installations that gave one an experiential perspective of cultural history, emerging artists, innovative ideas, great good art, artistic food and embracing music. All and all the RMB Fair was a 360 experience of 380 artists.

More!!!
At a recent mentoring hub at Knead Bakery one of the folk expressed great frustration as a prophetic creative person and said: “There’s just gotta be more!” As we chatted further we discovered there was no lack of talent nor skill but rather a deep sense of frustration as to where to express these God-given talents and gifts.

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Having a creative gift you really would do well to keep connected with the local Church but also to pray for expression outside the walls of the local Church. I really think this is a pro-Kingdom mindset and it’s not an anti-Church mindset. It’s about making a difference in the market place.

Perhaps its waiting for the likes of the RMB Fair to showcase your work. Or it’s at the local gallery or its simply to have folk around at your home to view what you’ve got and see where the Lord takes and leads your footsteps.

Think outside the box
As I perused possible avenues for some creatives I came across some interesting outlets – just think out of the box and just begin. Besides starting art classes for small groups with different themes; perhaps being a cartoonist or an animator to teach people about their finances in a more relaxed manner; if a museum needs help and you love being surrounded by art – work in the museum however the pay might not be good. But you will get free inspiration.

If the Gospel is a go-and-tell gospel then we must be encouraged to find folk outside our holy huddles to go tell the Gospel to. Reaching folk outside the walls with a Gospel that is relevant and highly Kingdom-enriched is where artists come alive.

Think of all the elderly folk who would be enriched with our artists and creatives expressing the Kingdom and bringing life, light and colour in lonely sad places.

Keep inspired
Inspiration is the food of creativity. Artists and creatives need inspiration from a variety of sources – nature, music, environment, great art from other artists, writing and wide spaces in different cultures to keep their creative wells well-filled.

Keeping connected with other art groups to keep inspired is a life source. So to look at things from multiple perspectives would be a good way to sum up keep being inspired.

Releasing the Kingdom of God without religious jargon is the challenge for the artist or creative. People are hungry for an encounter with God and the creative arts are often without a way to connect them to this encounter.

Earning money
An age-old question is: How do I earn money without killing my creativity?

One’s creativity can be fanned into flame within the local church and it can bless the local church. But gaining provision can be done outside the church walls — either by investment gained from one’s art or from projects run.

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” — Philippians 4.8