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| "One In Christ" by kathy rice grimm |
My painting "One In Christ," is about the Communion of the Saints and portrays people from many cultures who represent the disciples eating at Christ's table. It is not all that uncommon for Christian artists to choose to represent Biblical stories or ideas with people who are more contemporary to their own individual cultures. In other words, I know that the original disciples of Christ were Jewish. However, I choose to use people of all races and cultures to "act" the parts of the disciples eating at Christ's table. Why? Because that is how our time reflects the Communion of those who follow Christ today. Communion is historic but also contemporary to the body of Christ. This is why artists choose to paint themes such as the one above over and over. In Christianity, religious subjects reflect both the past, present, and future because the "church" in Christ Jesus is alive and still happening over and over and over. Jesus in this painting happens to be represented as Asian. This kind of last supper painting would be called in artistic circles a "symbolic biblical narrative." If I had painted all of the disciples as Jews it would then be called a "historical biblical narrative." I often paint both types of themes. But because this piece was to be theoretically included in an exhibit to celebrate the call of Jesus in the life of Dr. King, a wide variety of Christians from different races and nations were shown to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion together. This, I feel personally, was the highest goal proposed by Dr. King. The unity of Christian brothers in the worldwide body of Christ. A goal that is literally actualized but can not always be seen.
The painting has not been viewed by many people. I've tried to find a home for it but I've been told that it is "too red." It is relatively large, about six feet by four feet I think.
I've been asked by several people why there are only eleven disciples represented at the table. This is because Judas has abandoned his seat to betray Jesus. One of the disciples motions to his empty chair at the bottom and looks out pointing to the viewers and motioning to the seat as if to ask,"who will take the empty seat?"
I painted some of the disciples more selectively than others. Thomas, for example is represented as facing away from the communion table with his eyes shut. This was to represent the "idea" that he had not yet been convinced of Jesus' identity until after the resurrection. Another disciple on the far left at the top of the painting is shown as screaming. This is Simon the Zealot. He was committed to Christ but most probably not a favored member of the twelve. This happens all the time in the "church" of Jesus. There are always members who are more ardent and extreme in their loyalties to Christ, however, other church members usually push them as far out of hearing as possible. But Jesus includes both the zealot and the uncertain believers at His table and I think the more mainstream Christian believers often forget this. They forget to wait patiently for the Thomas and to persevere in love with the Simon. We are spiritual equals in God's eyes but still very unique from each other as well.
Below are more links to articles about Martin Luther King.
