Hymnal, Humanité rassamblée // Photo: Stephania Osorio
Hello friends,
I hope you all are enjoying the summer where ever you are! I am so excited to share with you about the art exhibition I am participating in this week in Paris and ask you for prayer that God would move powerfully through this outreach.
Humanity Gathered
This art exhibit is called “Hymnal: Humanity Gathered” and will take place at Agape Hub Gallery in the 3rd arrondissement in Paris from July 25th to August 10th, coinciding with the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Here is the description (translated from French):
“When art questions the coming together of humanity at the heart of the 2024 Olympic Games. This artistic project explores the richness of the anthem to deeply question the links that unite us. This initiative offers an immersive exhibition shaped by the collaboration of artists from all backgrounds questioning living and doing together. This experience of multidisciplinary contemplation invites each visitor to become a pilgrim.”
I will be showing five original canvases at this art expo as one of four Greater Europe Mission artists invited to participate in the show. Here are all of my canvases lined up before I prepared them to go to Paris followed by the description that will go along with my artwork:
Canvases from L to R: “The Impartation: Pentecost”; “Awaken”; “ His Hands”; “ Gaze”; “The Incarnation: The Word Became Flesh”
“God gathers humanity to himself. This collection of paintings uses bold colors and unique textures to illustrate the vibrancy of life in the Spirit that God is calling us all to, to live a life in full color, together with Him. In "His Hands" we see God reaching out, open handed, offering His love to us. In "the Incarnation: the Word Became Flesh" we see God, the Father, giving over his one and only son, Jesus, in vulnerability and trust, in order to reconcile His lost children to himself. In "the Impartation: Pentecost" we see God pouring out His Spirit on His people, so that every tribe and tongue would be able to know Him and live with Him. We see the humanity side of this relationship in "Awaken" and "Gaze". The light from above draws us up, to turn our eyes and open our ears to the call to turn to God and accept His love. We, as His children, can be captivated by the Creator and the joy, wonder, and peace we long for can be found by turning to Him.”
I will also be in Paris to work in the gallery from July 29th to August 1st. Agape Hub values the artists being present to discuss their artwork and faith with the people who make their way into the gallery.
Please pray for:
The expo to be a place of hope and solace in the city, where people can encounter God’s love and turn towards Jesus.
Agape Hub team who is managing the expo from start to finish!
Me as I aim to be a witness of God’s great love for humanity and pray that people would draw closer to him because of this expo.
Protection over the city of Paris and all the people coming to the capital during the Olympic Games.
Tom and the kids at home in Normandy during my absence.
The Word Became Flesh
I wanted to leave you with this piece and hope it will be a powerful artwork during the expo. It is called “the Incarnation: The Word Became Flesh” inspired by John’s words describing Jesus’ incarnation in the Bible. The hands of God the Father reaching down from heaven are made of a collage of pages from the Bible that have references to different names and characters of God on them. The light and shadow is done in a watery layer of acrylic paint. The soft fleshy hands of Jesus are done in oils to give them the subtle and smooth texture of baby hands. The incarnation and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the most pivotal point in the history of the world. God came down to live among us, with us to bring us to Himself. I hope to have captured a small picture of the miracle.
God bless you each one and may you know his love and presence with you.
With love,
Joanna
