Feather, Fleece, Field
By Christina Glynn
Artist Statement
The theme of "widening our tent" resonated within me during the creation of this installation. God graciously prefigured this calling in the the Exodus when He ordained the creation of the Tabernacle for his people in the desert. Various tribes gathered around sharing worship, comfort of the Lord's presence, and daily manna. God, as a pillar of cloud, rested on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant within the holy tent. Every beautiful piece of craftsmanship therein, including the Ark, was designed and created by a man named Bezalel (Exodus 31:1-6, chapters 36-39). Scripture notes that for the beauty and faith of the community, this artisan was filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills. As a Catholic artist, I pray for as much and strive to bring glory and beauty to God's House where His Eucharistic Presence dwells for all to come. I also strive to encourage believers and evangelize through my creativity by the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that all may be one people in worship. The Holy Spirit is overshadowing the Church in the synodal process represented by the sheep wool, signifying our Shepherds, the flock of laypeople, and Jesus the Good Shepherd. The eternal ring hints at a field of souls, inclusion, protection, a place to rest and be fed, the promise of the desert blooming (Isaiah 35:1-6). Outside that refuge, stones lie. They remain unmoved for beyond not throwing stones of condemnation, may we avoid even picking them up! As God widened the meaning of tent to unite the twelve tribes of the desert, and widened the early Church to include all people, so He leads us today to bring all into the fold with joy.
About the Artist
My artist roots come from my mountain family tree and God's grace. From a very young age I felt compelled to make music and art. I started my career as a piano accompanist by accident in middle school then studied art and psychology. I graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School as an art psycotherapist and worked with adolescents before moving to a full time vocation as mother of five! Studying Renaissance art contributed to my journey into the Church. I reside in the the lovely green hills of middle Tennessee with her family, a menagerie, and round-the-clock garden.
