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The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real
The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real is a necessity for the modern spiritual thinking artist. Geoff thoughtfully dives into the unexplored recesses of the artist's art and the relationship between the spiritual artist and the church, charting previously unpublished territories in this deeply soulful essay.
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2011
About the author
Geoff Hall
5 books8 followersGeoff Hall is drawn to write dystopian stories.
Despite this, his stories are hope-filled. Across his work are common themes, not only of resistance and the ‘quiet’ revolution, but also non-violence and the possibility of change.
Born in the late fifties in the North-East of England, he draws from his traditional working-class background, life experiences and rebellion (both religious and political) to invite the disenchanted, the disenfranchised and the jaded on to a journey of hope with him.
Despite this, his stories are hope-filled. Across his work are common themes, not only of resistance and the ‘quiet’ revolution, but also non-violence and the possibility of change.
Born in the late fifties in the North-East of England, he draws from his traditional working-class background, life experiences and rebellion (both religious and political) to invite the disenchanted, the disenfranchised and the jaded on to a journey of hope with him.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 14, 2011
The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real is a necessity for the modern spiritual thinking artist. Geoff thoughtfully dives into the unexplored recesses of the artist’s art and the relationship between the spiritual artist and the church, charting previously unpublished territories in this deeply soulful essay.
The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real is Part 1 in the 4-part series Spiritual Direction in a Postmodern Landscape by Geoff Hall.
The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real is Part 1 in the 4-part series Spiritual Direction in a Postmodern Landscape by Geoff Hall.
October 28, 2011
This brief volume paints the picture in broad strokes, leaving the fine brushwork for (hopefully) the next volume.
I was encouraged in reading this that we as Christians, and Christian artists at that, are called to be shapers of culture. If we try to conform our art to what we see around us, we end up losing the redemptive message and the hope that should embody our work. As Hall says, "If we choose relevance, then we become mere mimics. If we choose authenticity, then we become creators of imaginative landscapes through which others can travel." I certainly know which one I want to be.
I was encouraged in reading this that we as Christians, and Christian artists at that, are called to be shapers of culture. If we try to conform our art to what we see around us, we end up losing the redemptive message and the hope that should embody our work. As Hall says, "If we choose relevance, then we become mere mimics. If we choose authenticity, then we become creators of imaginative landscapes through which others can travel." I certainly know which one I want to be.
July 29, 2011
What is Christian art? How does spirituality and art relate? What does it mean to be a Christian artist?
Is it more than painting biblical scenes or painting a sheep in each picture? Geoff Hall maintains that it is more than that. In this, the first of four books, he looks at the calling of the Christian artist. A calling that involves desert and wilderness: 'between the Call and its realisation, comes The Wilderness!' p. 14. In the wilderness God can create a depth of character and experience that will help shape the artists work - and hopefully move beyond painting sheep in the picture!
Hall is not advocating an interaction of art and spirituality, an icing of spirituality on the cake of art he is seeking a robust integration of spirituality and art, of art and spirituality. Neither is he wanting an art through theology approach, as he rightly observes 'art is not theology' (p 33).
This is a great brief book; it can be read in less than an hour but will take hours to digest and meditate on the wisdom and insight it contains.
Is it more than painting biblical scenes or painting a sheep in each picture? Geoff Hall maintains that it is more than that. In this, the first of four books, he looks at the calling of the Christian artist. A calling that involves desert and wilderness: 'between the Call and its realisation, comes The Wilderness!' p. 14. In the wilderness God can create a depth of character and experience that will help shape the artists work - and hopefully move beyond painting sheep in the picture!
Hall is not advocating an interaction of art and spirituality, an icing of spirituality on the cake of art he is seeking a robust integration of spirituality and art, of art and spirituality. Neither is he wanting an art through theology approach, as he rightly observes 'art is not theology' (p 33).
This is a great brief book; it can be read in less than an hour but will take hours to digest and meditate on the wisdom and insight it contains.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews