Dance of the Trinity
Look
Rev’d Gill Sakakini is a good friend and inspiring colleague of mine. I love Gill’s ink and collage titled ‘Dance of the Trinity’. Gill provides some insight into her piece in her book (written in collaboration with Karen Case-Green) called Imaging the Story Rediscovering the Visual and Poetic Contours of Salvation. I wonder how you respond to the image and what description you would write in response to spending time with this artwork?
In this painting. Dance of the Trinity, 2005, three individual but overlapping figures move together against a background of fragments of the sixth-century Athanasian Creed, which explores the doctrine of the Trinity. The forms have a layered transparency making it unclear as to who is in front, in fact, the intention is to show each dancer taking a turn as the principal while the other two recede but are never out of contact. As the figures flow in dynamic movements they interact with and make room for each other, which reflects the mutually indwelling persons of the Trinity.
Hear
As I prayed with this image, I had to figure out how the three Persons merge and blend. Once again I have been challenged by art, like in my last Trinity post, to question my understanding and faith expression of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is a majestic beauty about their dance. The mystery of Trinity draws me in and causes me to want to find out, to search, discover and encounter each person. I sense Christ is the most obvious figure but could it be the Holy Spirit leading me into the dance?
Creative Response?
Gill spent time reflecting on the Athanasian Creed. Why not spend some time creating a colouring watercolour blend of pencil blend upon which you can prayerfully write the words of the creed. Consider the qualities of the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Would you change the wording to reflect your understanding?
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
The Father is immeasurable,
the Son is immeasurable,
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.
The Father is eternal,
the Son is eternal,
the Holy Spirit is eternal.