The Two Artworks In One
Apart from there being a significant amount of theology in this installation these artworks are to help transition the viewer from observing artworks into being swept up into having a dreamtime experience. As the 'dreamtime' is simply an interpretation of the spiritual landscape (invisible heavens), this interactive installation invites people to step into a world unfamiliar to them - the spiritual landscape of outback Australia. You can't help but feel the presence of the shadow above (reminding us of this Ancient Spirit' sovereignty) as you wander around the room. The installations also encourage the viewers to see things they wouldn't usually see (as the wings are made out of teabags) and experience things they wouldn't usually experience. I wanted the wings and the shadow to be strongly associated with the six giant corroboree paintings. I believe this was hugely successful as people ate, drank, worshiped and fellowshiped around these works and under them. (To the picture on the left, people are actually at tables, eating under the artwork "His Spirit– His Shadow".
SPIRIT FLIGHT TO DREAMS
Teabags over wire frame, 1.8m x 0.7m
Concept & Design
The teabags represented the peace and rest of God (a beautiful vision I had repeatedly when I was on the cusp of burn-out). I was exploring the spiritual and sub-conscious state in which we findourselves when making tea or when actually experiencing peace or rest and how that leads us off to day 'dream'.
The teabag wings are based on scriptures such as soaring on wings like eagles (Isa 40:31), god-speed and protection (Ex 19:4), and finding healing (Mal 4:2), strength, comfort and refuge in or under His wing’s shadow (Ps 36:7; 91:4).
Reaction
Many people were captivated by the wings when they walked in. Later they were surprised to realise that they were made from teabags.
HIS SPIRIT– HIS SHADOW
Concept
Genesis 1:2 said the Spirit hovered… The concept was born from my wanting to do a painting using actual light and shadow. I loved the idea that two artworks can come from one. As a result, ‘Flight To Dreams’ actually produces two artworks, its shadow being the artwork over the entire series of artworks where people feel its presence in the exhibition and church services. Two in one – the Son in the Father. There are many scriptures for this concept.
The Revelation
We often interpret God as speaking to no-one when He ‘spoke’ creation. I believe He was instructing the Son to make. When God ‘spoke’, God ‘made’.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters."
And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. (Gen 1:3, 6-7)
The Son can only do what the Father wants. “So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” Joh 5:19
The Point
The shadow of the wings on the ceiling above this exhibition space, was alluding to the Ancient Spirit of this Great Southland, being the ancient Architect in the beginning (Prov 8:30).
The shadow installation ‘His Spirit – His Shadow’ foreshadowed from the Old to the New Covenant of the Promised Spirit Life of the Messiah and His new covenant people, alluding to Mary being overshadowed and Emmanuel protecting and perfecting His church and also dwelling in His creation.
The service on Sunday really demonstrated that feel that Emmanuel was over us and through us as the people entered into worship. Corroboree is the church; we are under his protective shadow and find refuge and strength in the shadow of His wings. The shadow’s presence - everyone sat under it for a church (corroboree) service and ate under it on open night.
