JourneyOnline
IN THE midst of the secular we are touched by the sacred.
My aim in painting is to reflect our human experience of spirit, life and wonder.
These experiences do not originate with us: we speak of being overwhelmed, grabbed, or seized by them.
Is that not also what religion is at its core?
God is in the midst of life. Humanity is God-breathed (Genesis 2:7).
God is reflected in the depths of our experience, and we miss our experiences of the divine if we only paddle in the shallows.
While not denying the experience of those who find God elsewhere, I see God reflected in Jesus more clearly than anywhere else.
He is the image of the invisible God.
So, I see God as other directed, creative, forgiving and loving.
I believe all creativity, both human and divine, arises out of this kind of love.
As any theological student knows, love comes in two major varieties: love that is attraction (eros) and love that creates attractiveness (agape).
Eros comes into play when we are captivated by a scene, a person or a picture.
Agape, on the other hand, creates something that did not exist before.
It gives of itself for the sake of that which it creates.
Just as an artist makes use of physical material to reflect spirit, life and wonder, so the great creative Artist turns the earthy things of this life into a sacramental reflection of his presence.
An exhibition of Ron Potter's paintings will be held at Montville Uniting Church from 19–28 October.
For more information, call Montville Uniting Church on 07 5494 3119.
For more of Rev Potter's reflections on his art, visit piulapublications.com
Photo : Ron Potter with Music Man, a painting refl ecting his experience of spirit, life and wonder. Photo courtesy of Ron Potter
