O Church Arise

Artist

Ned Bustard

Artist bio

I am a graphic designer, children’s book illustrator, author, and printmaker. Some of the books I have written, illustrated, or edited include "It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God," "History of Art: Creation to Contemporary," "The Reformation ABC’s," "Bigger on the Inside: Christianity and Doctor Who," and "Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups." I am an elder at Wheatland Presbyterian Church, creative director for Square Halo Books, Inc., curator of the Square Halo Gallery, designer for Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), and serve on the boards of the Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art (ASCHA) and The Row House, Inc. My wife Leslie and I have three daughters, one dog, and own an unreasonable amount of books.

Visual Arts 2020 Contest

Title

Medium/Genre

Other

Artist Statement

This is a 6x9 inch linocut, printed with water-based ink on rice paper.

How it fits into contest

This linocut print is a depiction of the Church, clothed in the armor of God. In Ephesians Paul writes to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" and to "Stand firm." I believe our straight to use the armor of God is by standing on Christ. Therefore, the Church in this piece is standing on the Word of God, and abiding in Christ—surrounded by symbols for all of the I AMs: the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51), the Light (John 8:12), the Good Shepherd (John 10:7,9), the Resurrection and the Life.” (John 11:25), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and the True Vine (John 15:1, 5). The Holy Spirit guides and directs the Church in this piece in the form of a flaming dove.