Notes about "Movements: Celebrating Life's Rhythms"
Movements is my current collection, showing at the Art Insitute of Atlanta, from May 22 -July 21, 2023.
Artist Statement, by Courtenay Puckett
The title of this show uses the word movement which embodies three different correlations for this art collection. First, movement refers to the phases of life through which we each journey. Second, movement refers to the way light shifts and moves within each composition of iridescent ink. And lastly, movement refers to the gestural brushstrokes, moving the eye through each piece.
Diverse materials and techniques reflect the beauty and complexity of growth and transformation. The viewer is invited into conversations about faith, resilience, and embracing every moment of life’s rhythms.
"Movements: Celebrating Life's Rhythms" is an invitation to embrace the vitality and joy found in each movement in the symphony of life. It reminds us of God’s profound presence in every step we take, fostering an appreciation for grace, purpose, and hope amidst life's ebbs and flows.
IN THE BEGINNING:
“Creating: Creation Sings” describes how God creates all things, from light’s first beam to the flowers that grow in the field.
“Sustaining: Breath of Life” reminds us that Man did not become a living soul until God breathed life into him and continues to sustain him every day.
ALONG THE WAY:
“Establishing: Promises” explores the idea that God gives promises to set a firm foundation for us and help to establish our convictions and worldview, in which to build our lives upon.
“Trusting: The Bend” invites viewers to consider the ways in which they must act in faith, to step out on a limb and trust God to work in the midst of circumstances.
“Praising: Voices Sing” reminds us to lift up our voices together with one another to give thanks and glorify the Lord through song.
“Searching: In View” explores human desire to seek out what they are looking for and rejoice when it’s found. I played with soft and blurry edges of layers verses hard distinct edges to create a focal point in this piece.
“Waiting: In and Out” comments on the feelings of waiting in hope of what’s to come. Sometimes you feel like you have one foot in current circumstances and the other foot in the next phase, waiting in anticipation.
“Growing: Potential” contemplates the process of growth and how we grow when separate parts come together and move us forward and upward in our potential.
“Deciding: Crossroads” invites the viewer to consider times when they had to make a decision. You can’t live in the past but must move forward towards the choice that produces the most fruit.
“Thriving: Flourish” shows how the various components of our everyday life all work together for the good of His purposes; in balance, in hard work, and in joy.
“Dawning: Rising Morn” is reminiscent that the start of each day is quiet, fresh, and a time to set affairs in order for the day. The shifting silver ink is a reminder to look to the spiritual needs of the day as well.
AT THE END:
“Answering: Words of Truth” asks viewers to consider where our prayers and songs go and who answers them.
“Gathering: The Church” shows that God brings in his people to build up his church, which is his bride, from all the corners of the earth.
“Anticipating: New Heaven and Earth” points to our hope of an eternal home where God has promised a new heaven and new earth, where sin and the effects of sin will no longer be present.