Senior Art Project – A story of love

A Story of Love – Senior Art Project

Back in November, Mrs. Chobot tasked her senior art students to delve into sections of the Gospel of Luke during the Christmas season to extract themes representing the life of Jesus. Each student summarized and picked out elements they found most meaningful, aiming to capture the essence of Jesus’s journey of life as a man.  Now, as Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, these artistic representations offer reflections on the profound significance of the season, bringing the story of Jesus’s love and sacrifice full circle.

Here is what they created…

God had a plan from the beginning of time to send Jesus for us. This isn’t just a story for Christmas or Easter, but it is a story of love, and it is intended for us every day.

 

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:37 “ For no word from God will ever fail.” 

This piece is the image of Gabriel sharing the news with Mary that she is going to have a baby. 

The prominent feature is the colors; the darkness of the background enclosed, around this intimate moment, along with the brightness of the angelic figure, brings our attention to the announcement, and to the words of God.

 

 

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This piece is of a traditional nativity scene, but so often when we see the nativity, we picture the shepherds, wise men, and all the animals. However, this piece represents this quiet moment between Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The highlight of the star and the lantern in the stable contrasts with the darkness of the world around. Jesus is the light of the world.

 

 

Jesus is Baptized

Luke 3:16- “John answered them all, ‘I baptized you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Here we have this beautiful image of John the Baptist, baptizing Jesus. This student wanted to try and show the power of this moment in her painting, by the way the light hits the water and the trees. The artist said “ I enjoyed this project and liked how it turned out. I was happy to try to portray such a powerful moment in Jesus’s life in this way.”

 

Jesus is Tempted Luke Chapter 4

This student wanted to portray the two most important figures in the spiritual realm, the devil and God. Instead of painting them in a wilderness or desert background, he painted a plain white background, to show that these two figures exist outside of our physical world too. It doesn’t matter the exact setting that they are in, the most important thing is that God and Satan are discussing with one another, alone. They stand apart, a few yards away from one another, like a standoff. To show that they are in a different realm of sorts, this student inverted the colours, so it appears to be a starry night, but the sky is white and the stars are dots of black.

 

Jesus’s Miracles and His Disciples Luke Chapters 5-9

In these chapters, Jesus continues to preach the Good News to the people and show them His mercy. He heals many and shows His power and authority over nature, sickness, the seen and the unseen world. The main focus is Jesus, with his bright red and white robe. Behind Jesus, are his disciples and people he has healed in neutral colours. The students’ goal for this artwork was for anyone who sees this art, to understand the whole concept of Jesus’s work on earth without explicitly explaining what it is about.

 

The Lost Sheep

Luke Chapter 15:3-6. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

This piece portrays a shepherd carrying a sheep.  The student who created the piece reflects: “When it comes to a relationship with God if we wander off and away from Him, he will come find us. Each and every one of us is a wandering sheep being sought after by God, and think that that is important to keep in mind when we are going through struggles and ups and downs, either big or small. Simply to know that if it seems like we are alone in it, there is someone going to great lengths to find you again.”

 

The Destruction of the Temple

Luke 21: 17-20  Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.  “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.” 

This student captured a moment when Jesus warned his disciples of false teachers. In this lesson, he tells them to be prepared, and not abandon their faith and beliefs.

 

 

All Judas Left Behind

Luke 22:19-20 – “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

This piece is an interpretation of The Last Supper. The student created it with this intimate feeling of community. The warmth of the colors showcases a personal gathering where Jesus foretold his impending death and instructed his disciples to remember him. The student called this piece “All Judas Left Behind” because in the background, you can see Judas, leaving to betray Jesus. In that moment, Judas did not just leave the meal, but so much more. The student commented, “I wanted to create a moment in my painting so powerful that I wouldn’t want to leave.”

 

 

The Crucifixion

Luke 23:34, Jesus cries out “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

In this artwork, the central focus is on Jesus, around whom the narrative unfolds. Positioned behind Jesus stands Simon, the sole individual who aided him in carrying the cross. Alongside them are depicted two Roman soldiers: one brandishing a whip, and the other mounted on horseback, compelling Jesus towards his crucifixion. Despite the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the Romans, Jesus is illuminated by sunlight, symbolizing his divine presence. This scene captures a moment of apparent triumph for the Romans, yet it ultimately reveals Jesus’s authority over death, transcending their perceived power.

 

He is Risen   Luke 24

This piece is intended to depict and capture the essence of Jesus’ resurrection as described in Luke chapter 24. This student wanted to capture the feeling of power and energy that was demonstrated within this miracle, and it is presented through this white illuminating glow from the dark tomb.