Wise-Hearted Ones: Why Your Art Matters with Deborah Sokolove
In a deeply engaging conversion with Deborah Sokolove — artist, teacher, author, and Professor Emeritus of Art and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary — we explored the essence of art in the context of faith, personal development, and the Christian community.
In this blog post, we'll delve into Deborah's insights, illuminating the intricate relationship between artistic expression and spiritual growth.
The True Calling of the Artist
Deborah's philosophy centers on helping others find their true voice and calling, which she considers her life's most important work. ''Helping other people find their true voice and their true calling is my true calling,'' she asserts.
Sure, it isn't a job that anyone hires artists to do, but she firmly believes it's the most significant thing she's done and the one she's most proud of. Her passion for mentorship and guidance reflects an ingrained belief in the transformative power of art and faith intertwined.
Besides Deborah's philosophy on the artist's true calling, we explored the concept of ''calling'' in art and life. Deborah affirms that not all tasks feel like a calling but are essential. ''It's not all joy and happiness and, you know, bluebirds and butterflies all the time. Sometimes it's just hard work,'' she acknowledges, highlighting the often-overlooked less glamorous aspects in an artist's day-to-day life.
The Artist and Discipline
An intriguing aspect of our discussion was the idea of ''presenting the body'' in art, which involves showing up every day, even when you're feeling uninspired — even if it's just to arrange paints or sweep the floor. This discipline underscores the profound connection between the physical act of creating art and the spiritual act of being one with the body of Christ and the broader Christian community.
''If you're an artist, if that is your calling from God, it's important to take that seriously…whatever that is,'' Deborah asserts, highlighting the importance of exercising discipline as an artist.
The Challenge of Fallow Periods
While Deborah emphasizes the importance of observing discipline as an artist, she acknowledges that an artist's life isn't a constant outpouring of creativity. She speaks candidly about her experiences with long fallow periods, emphasizing that times of inactivity are as crucial as periods of intense creativity.
''I typically have very long fallow periods, sometimes lasting several years at a time, when I'm not consciously, intentionally, or visibly making art of any kind. That is all grist for the mill,'' she says, highlighting the importance of rest and rejuvenation in the creative process.
Art and Contemporary Culture
Our conversation also explored the complex relationship between art and our productivity-focused culture. Deborah criticizes the workaholic way of thinking we have inherited from our culture that often fails to recognize the true value of art.
She encourages artists to embrace their identity beyond societal expectations, stating, ''Being an artist is an identity…It's a way of approaching life that is different from having a nine-to-five job.''
The Relationship Between Art and the Church
We also touched on the delicate relationship between art and the church. While the church can provide a platform for art, there's often a tension between artistic expression and theological control.
''Artists are dangerous…we don't know what we're going to say until we've said it,'' Deborah says, highlighting the unpredictable nature of creative expression.
The Role of the Church in Supporting Artists
While we touched on how the church attempts to control artistic expression, we also explored the potential role of the church in genuinely engaging with art. Deborah suggests that churches could promote deeper connections between congregations and artists by creating time for both parties to thoughtfully engage with artworks.
Deborah argues that this approach could help artists and churchgoers alike to appreciate the depth and diversity of artistic expression.
The Intersection of Art, Faith, and Community
As we wrapped up our conversation, Deborah emphasized the need for a more inclusive and participatory approach to art within the church. She envisions a church that embraces all forms of artistic expression, not just those easily understood or traditionally accepted.
''This can be the model of the church so that the church isn't always chasing what the world teaches,'' she states, emphasizing the need for a model where the church resembles the Kingdom of God, where diverse art forms are appreciated.
Conclusion: A Call for Mutual Enrichment
From my conversion with Deborah Sokolove, it became clear that the intersection of art, faith, and community holds immense potential for mutual enrichment. For artists, the church can offer a platform for genuine engagement, connection, and appreciation. Meanwhile, for the church and its congregants, artists can provide a refreshing perspective through which they can understand and appreciate the world in new ways.
In embracing this symbiotic relationship, artists and the church can find new ways to express, understand, and experience the world — a world where art isn't just an unnecessary embellishment but an essential part of our spiritual and communal existence.
Listen to this episode here.
Deborah’s Books:
Check out Deborah's art on her website: https://dsokolove.com/
Follow her on:
Facebook: @deborahsokolove
Instagram: @dsyakushiji
Deborah’s Church: seekerschurch.org
Be.Make.Do. is a Soulmakers podcast where we talk about what it takes to pursue your calling as a culture maker with spiritual wholeness and creative freedom. Host Lisa Smith shares her unique perspective gained from over 20 years of mentoring and ministering to artists.
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