Anna-Rebecca Johnson
Artist Statement
This body of work is heavily influenced by the Gospel of John. I have chosen to portray the Johannine themes of light vs. darkness, blindness vs. sight, ascension/descension, water, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, and Jesus’s Crucifixion and Glorification through a simple triptych piece. Each piece utilizes key elements of art like shape, value, texture, and form to convey these Johannine themes. I chose to detract from the element of color and only used it sparingly and intentionally in order to let the chosen artistic elements pull the audience’s focus. In addition, I chose to play with the finishes of my materials in my exploration of portraying “light” in a non-conventional way. Therefore, these pieces each utilize a high-gloss, lacquer finish, in tandem with both actual and visual texture, to allow the opportunity for spontaneous lightplay to occur.
My take on this subject showcases my own devotional process. Viewers get a look inside my mind and my interpretation of the Gospel of John, the wrestling with its themes, and the practical application of them. I chose to let each piece convey multiple Johannine themes, rather than dedicate one specific theme to each piece, to aid in the cohesion of the pieces as a singular triptych unit.
Overall, this collection of photographs articulates my own interpretation of Johannine writings, my wrestling with its intrinsic themes and purpose, and the application of its message into my life and my future ministry. Like the Gospel of John, this collection has an underlying depth and complexity. It is best experienced when viewed from different angles. It begs to be engaged in a tactile manner, rather than being passively looked upon. It reveals something about the subject of the piece as well as its author. Ultimately, it reminds us of the importance of the intentionality and depth of knowing.
