Grace Kang 2017-2018
Artist in Residence
Grace Kang was Bethel’s Artist-in-Residence for 2017-2018. At the time of her term, Kang was pursuing a master’s degree in Christian ministry at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg and has many ambitions for her future. Kang’s art installation at Bethel in June 2018 was written up in the church bulletin as follows:
This three-piece iconographic collection is an exploration of the faces of Jesus within our local community, in those who do not fit easily into our images of peace and the kingdom to come. The threefold collection recalls not only Jesus but the entire trinity, using Byzantine halos to highlight the divine nature of each figure. Which face fits who for you? What does this tell you about your ideas of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
Often people who more heavily depend on us or others are not seen as integral and important parts of God’s kingdom, but Jesus makes it clear that he is very intimately present among the weak and needy. Where is Jesus in your screaming child? Where is Jesus in sex workers or abused women? Where is Jesus in the blind, the differently able, and the elderly? Additionally, where is Jesus in you? Where is Jesus in your most holy moments, and where is he when you are at your lowest, when you have done wrong?
Learning to see the divine spark, the Image Dei, in everyone we meet is an important part of being Christian, for this is how Jesus saw us. As you meditate on these questions and images, allow the Holy Spirit to show you the image of God in those around you, particularly those who you find difficult to be around.
In addition to producing the three-piece iconographic collection, Kang participated in an adult education class with Alvin Pauls on “Art and Faith/Worship.” And Grace also preached several times, as well as leading worship -- both during her term and afterwards.
Kang also produced quite an elaborate Palm Sunday installation (pictured below). Please click on the links below for a more detailed description and to read the review in the Canadian Mennonite.
