In June 2021, students from Ottawa and Montreal explored the Gospel of John during a conference called God Among Us which had for theme “Incarnation: Encountering and Embodying Emmanuel”. As we recognize the diverse ways that God speaks to us, we invited students to share what they had received from God through their personal form of art-making. We thank the artists that joined their voice and hand to this exhibition and our hope is that these art pieces will bless you and enrich your reflexions on the book of John.’

Testify by the Light

Testify By The Light

 

This phrase really stuck out to me when John 1 was being read out during the Saturday morning prayer time. It reminded me that we are to represent God as much as we can to others.

 

By Ellie Ng

Carleton University

Testify by the Light
 

Somewhere in Your Presence

 

A Christian remake of the classic Somewhere Over The Rainbow. All glory to God, who gives us peace and joy!

 

By Sounds of Joy

Vanier College

 
Unfolded

Unfolded / Révélé

 

This artwork is an attempt to grasp the mystery revealed in John 1. In this passage, we see a lot of imagery used to describe the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The image that stood out to me is found in a powerful scene where a dove descends gracefully on Jesus during his baptism. This art piece has two components. First, a 2D embroidery that represents my theoric conception of God. The second component is the materialization of this form into a 3D origamic dove, which represents the incarnation of Jesus. The dove was made during an origami workshop that happened during the conference, where participants were invited to engage in automatic writing to pour out their worries and thoughts on the Lord, a symbolic gesture in seek of freedom.

 
Six people on zoom each holding a folded crane
 

By Fredielly Coriolan-Bastien

Concordia University

Unfolded
 

Unashamed (Prod. Ransom Beatz)

 

A song openly showing my love for God

 

By Michel Gouombas-L

Carleton University

 
The Word Became Flesh

Untitled

 

God’s word became flesh through Jesus- Who is the light of all, and where darkness cannot prevail.

 
 

By Joy Bello-Osagie

Vanier Collège

The Word Became Flesh
 
Embrace Glory

Embrace Glory

 

Jesus’ mother was the first to embrace him in the flesh. She encountered his glory at the very beginning moments of his humanity – the Spirit wrapping them with glorious presence. The fullness of God experienced in this euphoric moment must have moved her beyond words and into a state of worship. Currently I am in my 6 months of pregnancy and so the imagery of this piece is very moving to me personally and was deeply significant as I was creating this water colour sketch.

 
 

By Cristy Dagenais

Carleton University

 

Light to Everyone

 

Without God, humans are incapable coming to life. Through incarnation, Jesus brings light and life by living among us. This life is contagious and once we receive it we can then spread it to our neighbors.

 

By Katie Harder

Concordia University

 

Clarinet rendition of Out of Hiding (Father’s Song)

 

I played the clarinet as a kid, but hadn’t picked it up in while before a few months ago. When I heard about this art show I didn’t know what to submit because I don’t consider myself very artistic and I can’t sing. But this song kept coming to my mind, “Out of Hiding (Father’s Song)” by Steffany Gretizinger. It is sung from God’s perspective to us, and the lyrics really spoke to me, especially this weekend. Alaina’s talk about being God’s kid really got me reflecting on how I view myself and the reinforcement that I am defined by God as my father and nothing/nobody else was much needed in my life. As the song is instrumental, here are a few key lines:

 

“Come out of hiding you’re safe here with me/ There’s no need to cover what I already see.” “Now rid of the shackles, my victory’s yours/ I tore the veil for you to come close/ There’s no reason to stand at a distance anymore/ You’re not far from home” “No need to be frightened by intimacy/ No, just throw off your fear and come running to me!”

 

Anyways, this song is my way of sharing my love of music with God and you all, and though I’m always really self conscious of sharing my music, as I am a perfectionist and I know it’s not perfect, I like to think of this as my way of being a kid again and just showing my father what I created!

 
 

By Mary Howard

University of Ottawa

 
Ode to the Unknown God

Ode to the Unknown Deity

 

A poem

 

By Anthony Krause

Queen’s University

Ode to the Unknown God