artwork unpacked

Monday, 2 December 2013

Plumbline

Sharon Roberts

oil on canvas

Today I delivered a painting to the Brookfield Centre in Brisbane for inclusion in an exhibition which opens next Sunday, 8th December at 3pm.

As it is a two hour drive each way, a fellow artist and I made a day of it. Having delivered the painting, lingered in the peaceful gardens, and walked the labyrinth, we drove home via coffee and sketching at College’s Crossing on the Brisbane River.

The Brookfield Centre for Christian Spirituality is on the site of the old Franciscan Friary, and the exhibition of over 30 artworks is part of the Advent program of events.

Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, Advent is traditionally a time of anticipation of, and preparation for, Christmas. Exhibiting artists have responded to the Bible verse “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him” . 

The painting I have submitted may at first seem somewhat obscure but it refers to a prophet named Amos, who lived more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Amos writes about a plumbline, and the words in the painting are themes from his book. 

The plumbline can also be a symbol representing Jesus, the Lord for whom “the way” is being prepared, and whose birth Christians celebrate at Christmas,

An ancient, yet still used, tool for measuring a wall to make sure it is true, or straight and vertical, it is sometimes used as a metaphor for Jesus as we can measure our life and actions against his example. When we find that we don't “measure up” the call of the prophet is to repent, to turn back to God.

The plumbline in this painting is also a symbolic reminder to consider how we “measure up”, and to celebrate this Christmas with a renewed awareness of God, who loves us and came to us.