Christian Art (An Old and Rare Book)

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Christian Art is the fruit of Petwyn Fernandes' own search for personal meaningful expression in life. Since Petwyn's early years have been imbued with Gospel values his proclivity is towards Christian art.

In early times there was no difference between the shaman or healer and the artist. Art and religion were a single source of power, and the act of creation was considered a sacred art which could activate healing.

The creative journey of the artist is also the inner pilgrimage of the mystic. For, without doubt, God is absolute Beauty. And, in some measure, true artists share in this quality of God through works of art. True works of art outline the artists, because they possess something that is eternal. This is the sure sign that they are in relationship with the highest eternal Beauty-with God.

God is beauty. But, also Goodness and Truth. And, so is an outstanding artist. It beauty does not contain truth and goodness, it is empty of meaning and value.

Jesus forsaken on the Cross was not an aesthetic spectacle. In like manner artists can represent what is ugly: suffering, anguish, drama, tragedy and the like. The prophet Isaiah says, "There was in him (Jesus) no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him" (Is. 53:2). And, yet, faith tells us that the glory of the resurrection was already present in him. Jesus crucified and forsaken is the model of artists and especially those artists who, like him, offer a ray of hope even in the saddest situations.

"Artists what is your vocation in our times?" This is a compelling question, an appeal a call. It is even more: a vocation.

Pope John Paul II wrote in 1994: "Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation-as poet, writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor and so on-feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it at the service of their neighbour, and of humanity as a whole".

On 4 April 1999, Pope John Paul Il wrote a "Letter to the Artists": "In a society marked by a sometimes-dehumanizing technology and by consumerist hedonism, you, dear artists and friends, are called to witness to a profound love to truth of the world and of humanity. By creating works that bring out the high vocation of human beings, make yourselves masterly and sincere interpreters of transcendence."

The service that the artist performs in society urges him/her to penetrate to the heart of human relationships, where the drama, the comedy of life takes place, with its sufferings, joys, difficulties, failures, successes and doubts.