As an artist who specializes in figurative sculpture, I have spent countless hours in the studio working with nude models. It is a time-honored practice in the Classical tradition, employed by artists throughout the centuries. Depictions of the nude are an important aspect in understanding the history of art in the West. The Department of Art at Gordon College states that the study of the “nude has much more in common with medical knowledge than with popular sexualization of images in advertising and movies. An art studio with students or artists surrounding a model is akin to the operating theater. Knowledge is being gained and a professional activity is being practiced.”
Many of those who oppose the use of nude models for Christian artists do not draw a proper distinction between pornography and fine art, between naked and nude. Pornography seeks to tear body from spirit, rendering flesh disembodied, and exploiting that which was made in the image of God. Pornographers reduce humanity, usually women, from temples of flesh to tools of debased pleasure in exchange for money. The nude in art celebrates the beauty, the mystery and the delight of God’s creation. The artist marvels at the complexity of the human form, the perfection of original design, even as it is broken, marred by sin. Exposing Christian eyes to redemptive images of humanity can work as an antidote to the damage done by pornography.
God created the heavens and the earth, the sky and the moon, the sea, the fishes, birds, land and all that inhabit it, plants and animals alike. When He was finished at the end of each day, He was pleased with His work and called it “good.” On the sixth day, He created male and female in His own image. Satisfied with His work, He called it “very good.” Humans, made in the image of God, are the crowning glory of His creation.
That we are fallen and that sin has entered the world does not negate the “very good-ness” of God’s creation. He sent His only begotten Son—incarnate, that is “in flesh,” like us— to live among us, to die, and resurrect, destroying death and the grave. As we look forward to the Heavenly Jerusalem, we groan in this fallen world. Some of us are called to create artwork that hopes for and imagines that glory to come. When we receive garments in the world to come, they will not be to hide our nakedness, for there will be no shame in the Heavenly City. Rather, we will receive robes as adornment.
To be a Christian artist, redeemed by the Son of God, is to have a holy imagination, celebrating the very handiwork of God, and bringing glory to the astonishing creativity and goodness of our Creator.
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I highly recommend going to Gordon College's website and reading their statement on nude models at a Christian college.
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5 comments:
Beautiful. Thank you!
Great post. I remember a moment in a life drawing class at a state college in SoCal, when a female model assumed some rather provocative poses. The professor had the wisdom to tell her to tone it down a bit. I think it was an exercise in exhibitionism for her. The prof (whom I know was not a Christian), on the other hand, knew that the exercise was not about titillation but learning how to render and explore the subtleties of the human form.
This was great! I took a drawing class last quarter which involved drawing the human anatomy to study bones muscles etc. Then I ran into my very christian friend who was completely closed minded about the idea (as in no nudity whatsoever) She said she received a lot of rude comments and traffic on her blog because of her post. I felt sorry about that but I dont agree with her at all.
Very well stated. It takes true insight to understand that redemption includes the body and culture, which is why the early church understood the value and significance of creation. We can only hope that such a wealth is regained today.
Thank you for your encouragement. As a Christian photographer I am in a constant search of how to honor God through my work. It is the conditioned perception of people that often limits what I can do. I never felt that working with nude people was wrong in any way, but for some Christian brothers and sisters that is hard to understand. I hope some of them read your post or posts like it for you are doing great explaining it to them.
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