Exploring theology in the gallery

David Mach, Precious Light

King James Bible, A Celebration, 1611 – 2011.

Many churches are finding creative ways to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the King James Bible. However, the David Mach “Precious Light” exhibition in Edinburgh’s City Art Centre is not a Christian initiative. David does not confess faith in any stream of the Christian faith but is interested in the fact that all of life, in all of its extremes, is present in the Bible.

As I wandered around this exhibition, both alone and in conversation with the artist, I was continually amazed at the biblical themes David has picked up on. Almost every collage has a city setting, not only expressing the growing urbanisation of our times but also picking up Scripture’s constant battle between the city of Jerusalem and the city of Babylon, the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. He also places a cross in many of the Old Testament images, exploring the understanding that we see Christ throughout Scripture.

In his depiction of Noah’s ark, set in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park, there are multiple arks being built by different teams of builders. Clearly a deviation from the Biblical narrative of a lonely Noah building a single ark, and yet possibly a comment on society’s pluralistic or multi-faith approaches to escaping the pending doom, David certainly makes you think!

His many depictions of the crucifixion are challenging and the recently burned head of his matchstick sculpture of Jesus was not an act of disrespect but part of the artist’s usual behaviour with all the heads he has created. Reflecting on what he has done in marring the image of Christ caused deep reflection on how my behaviour before and since coming to Christ was part of the marring of Christ on Golgotha.

However for me the “city of God” image shown twice in the gallery was the most thought provoking. David has pealed back the skin of an unidentified person revealing many rooms. The imagery seeks to depict the masks we use to cover the busy compartments of life which many people have. On the second version, the rooms are empty or being emptied and I could not help but reflect that for many people the busyness of filling their life still leaves them feeling empty and begs the question as to who will fill this city of God.

The exhibition runs until mid October. I cannot imagine a more natural place to take a not-yet believing friend with even just a casual interest in art. This is a place where natural conversations would flow about a Christian perspective of life or understanding of huge topics like eternity, suffering, emptiness, sacrifice, hope and the place of the Bible in modern society. If you are thinking of inviting someone to explore the Christian faith this autumn, the David Mach exhibition might be a great starting place, but be prepared for a challenge yourself.

http://www.davidmach.com/