One of the aims of this blog is to explore the Gospel’s implications for and impact on all of life. Redemption is not just for the soul but the mind and the creative aspects of life. I regularly try to set aside some time and space each Friday to encourage the exploration of creativity. I try to do this by linking to the photography of Joe Kennedy, Will Turner, Timmy Brister, Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn, along with the Friday Flickr Group in which they participate. In addition to that I have a regular rotation of poetry, visual art and music. The poets, artists and musicians in question may or may not be Christian. The main criteria is that they pursue their craft with excellence and in some way have encouraged me to think biblically about creativity. You may or may not initially see the connection. If not, please ask. Otherwise, enjoy.

Today’s featured visual art comes from Makoto Fujimura (b.1960). Fujimura is a contemporary fusing abstract art with traditional Japanese techniques, often to startling effect (and affect). Unlike many of the visual artists I’ve featured here, Fujimura is open about his Christian faith and often incorporates its imagery into his work. In a recent Forbes interview (which no longer seems to be online, sorry), Fujimura said:

I am a Christian. I am also an artist and creative, and what I do is driven by my faith experience. But I am also a human being living in the 21st century, struggling with a lot of brokenness - my own, as well as the world’s. I don’t want to use the term ‘Christian’ to shield me away from the suffering or evil that I see, or to escape in some nice ghetto where everyone thinks the same.

Working from NYC, Fujimura’s work has been deeply affected by the 09/11 attacks and has since taken on the drama, not only of life and death but more openly incorporated themes of redemption and hope, even in abstract ways. Today’s selected painting is called “Stillpoint” and is from 2004.

• Visit Makato Fujimura’s official website
• Visit Makato Fujimura’s blog
• Visit Wikipedia’s page dedicated to Fujimura

Today’s musical artist is actually a repeat, sorry. I related this earlier, but I have long been a fan of the now defunt Athens, GA band the Vigilantes of Love. It was no secret that Bill Mallonee was the core of the band and after many label and contract struggles, etc., he set out solo. My wife and I, along with two great friends had the chance to see him at a very intimate venue. As great as he was, we were thoroughly blown away by the opener, Dallas/Denton singer-songwriter Doug Burr. Burr’s set was impassioned and moving and the songs were top-notch. We quickly ordered his first CD The Sickle and the Sheaves and pre-ordered his new CD On Promenade which should arrive at our house today.

Burr’s is a mix of many of my favorite artists’ sound: Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt, Bill Mallonee, Damien Jurado and many more, but the music is disntinctly Burr’s voice while drawing from many great sources. The music is what most would consider “Americana” or “Alt-country” but with indie influences and the thread of the Gospel running through it all. The other day I came across several live mp3s from Uncommon Ground coffee house in Chicago. They’re not the best quality, but that’s where these downloads come from (you will most likely have to adjust the amplification, but with a little work they’re not that bad):

• Download “Ain’t Got No Chains”
• Download “Jubilee”
• Download “Meet You in the Sunrise”
• Visit Doug Burr’s official website
• Listen to The Sickle and the Sheaves for yourself
• Pre-Order On Promenade now from Velvet Blue Music.

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