Blog Response 1

As I read the chapter, I noticed how for many of the artists their beliefs drive their creations. I learned that religion and beliefs play an important role in art. Artists use their abilities to create beautiful pieces of art that reflect and take on the character of their religious beliefs whether that is creating a mask used in religious ceremonies, painting a person who is intimately tied to the religion or sculpting a figurine of a symbol for that religion. She mentions in the book that African art in particular has a hard time separating life, religion and art (63). Due to the huge emphasis on religion in art, I decided to choose my identity based on my beliefs. Like African art, my life cannot be separated from my beliefs. We are one and the same, and since my beliefs are such a big part of me, I decided that the identity that most closely described me is my belief and relationship with Jesus Christ.

The telling of the story is a very powerful experience not only for the speaker but also for the audience. The book mentions that the “telling” is “the process of understanding and drawing strength from one’s past, one’s cultural history, beliefs, and values” (57). The artist through the creation and display of the work of art is drawing strength from the process. They look to the past and see how far they have come and how they were able to make it through some of the toughest times and still live to tell the story. The audience sees, hears, or reads this story, and they draw strength and hope from it knowing that if one person can do it then they can do it as well. That is why it is so important to tell your story. You never know who is listening or who is being encouraged and strengthened by it.