In Defense of the Lighter Side of the Arts

“the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium recalled the historic friendliness of the Church towards art and, referring more specifically to sacred art, the ‘summit’ of religious art, did not hesitate to consider artists as having ‘a noble ministry’ when their works reflect in some way the infinite beauty of God and raise people's minds to him.” LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II TO ARTISTS 1999 paragraph 19

Artistic Expression

In his "Letter to Artists,” Pope Saint John Paul II, referencing the documents of the Second Vatican Council, put liturgical art as perhaps the highest expression of the creative gift. But he noted that all art has value as it pursues the artist's vocation of bringing beauty to the world. He even noted that "bad art" has a place, it shows us a world without God.

Artistic expression covers a lot of ground. I have never been one to suggest that one expression is better than another. The amazing variety of art that I s available ro us today, speaks to us in different ways,

The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost, giving them gifts that allowed them to speak to the people of the world in their own language, in a language they know by heart. The Holy Spirit also gives artists gifts that allow them to speak to people in a language they know by heart. Everyone will be drawn back to God in different ways. Some will be drawn by the priest and his sermons, others will be drawn by the artist that reflects the splendor of God and brings hope and joy to His people.

It is part of our nature to categorize things and make assumptions based on that category. Surveys show that oil paintings have a higher perceived value than acrylics, watercolor, drawings, etc.. The most popular subjects among those who purchase art are florals, landscapes, and animals. And so artists who work in mediums and subjects other than those mentioned are perceived as less desirable and sometimes, unfortunately, of lesser quality.

This is of course nonsense. There is a huge variety of skill and talent in every medium and every subject matter.

In the field of comics for example, artists such as Hal Foster (Prince Valiant), Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon, and Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates), were consummate artists who influenced generations of artists that came after them. The fact that their chosen field was the “Funnies” section of the Sunday newspaper, is entirely irrelevant to their artistic ability.

Different artists have different skills to reach different people. And as we heard from St. Paul, there are different gifts but the same Spirit. Just as no one can say Jesus is Lord without the working of the Holy Spirit, no one can paint Jesus as Lord without the working of the Holy Spirit. That makes all images of Jesus as Christ and Lord, valid.

We should not dismiss any artistic fruit as trivial or irrelevant. Liturgical artists lift people's hearts and minds to God during the liturgy, landscape and portrait artists have the opportunity to depict their subjects glowing with the light of God. To say that "fine art" is a truer art than "illustration," or to make a distinction between artist and craftsman, is mere human vanity.

And then there are cartoonists.

Cartoons and Comics

I have heard from cartoonists who sometimes think their work has no value in the service of God. They could not be more wrong. Hope and joy are things that are desperately needed in a world that struggles against the darkness.

Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, was also a devout Christian. He created a number of Christian cartoons that were collected in a couple of different volumes, most recently in a single volume titled "Schulz's Youth." In addition to making us smile his cartoons open the door for a deeper reflection on relationships, marriage, and commitment. This also turns our hearts and minds to God in a unique way.

The adventure comics such “Prince Valiant” and “Flash Gordon,” while not explicitly Christian, revolve around themes of honor, loyalty, bravery, and good vs. evil.

And while in the realm of “comic strips,” artistry may often take a back seat to the joke, it can still be found. Perhaps the best of the the genre are those expressions that are aesthetically pleasing as well as spiritually profound, whether that spiritual insight is intended or not.

All of us have been given gifts to bring scattered humanity back together. There are people who can only be reached by our unique use of these gifts. If a single-panel cartoon can cause even one person to reflect upon their lives in relationship to God then it is invaluable. So too is the ability to bring joy into our lives.

Many popes have written on the important contribution that artists have made to the Church. When we see the word “Church” in a papal document we may naturally think of the institutional Church. But that would be neglecting a fuller meaning of the letters and documents of our Holy Fathers. When we are told, “the Church needs artists,” we should also consider “Church” in the sense of the body of the faithful, the people that make up the institution. As a people, we need artists in all their splendor and variety to show us the splendor and variety of God.

The Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church, recognizes the important contribution of all the arts, without distinction. Its intercessions include the supplication:

“The talents of artists reflect your splendor,

— may their work give the world hope and joy.”

At the end of the day, perhaps P.T. Barnum said it best:

"Men, women, and children, who cannot live on gravity alone, need something to satisfy their gayer, lighter moods and hours, and he who ministers to this want is, in my opinion, in a business established by the Creator of our nature. If he worthily fulfills his mission and amuses without corrupting, he need never feel that he has lived in vain."
-P.T. Barnum

Pax vobixcum

Lawrence Klimecki, MSA, is a deacon in the Diocese of Sacramento. He is a public speaker, writer, and artist, reflecting on the intersection of art and faith and the spiritual “hero’s journey” that is part of every person’s life. He maintains a blog at www.DeaconLawrence.org and can be reached at Lawrence@deaconlawrence.com

Lawrence draws on ancient Christian tradition to create new contemporary visions of sacred art. For more information on original art, prints and commissions, Please visit www.DeaconLawrence.org

Purchase fine art prints of Deacon Lawrence’s work here.