In a stunning departure from her usual oil painting medium, artist Anita Hummel presents a new ceramic tile mosaic piece titled Resurrecting Hope: Lifting Others With Love.
This work is her entry in the 13th International Art Competition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The competition, themed “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down,” is inspired by the scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 81:5: “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” Hummel’s choice of ceramics marks a significant shift in her artistic journey, embracing a new medium to express a powerful message of hope and charity.
Table of Contents
- The 13th International Art Competition
- Why Choose Mosaic as a Medium?
- The Process of Creating the Mosaic
- Resurrecting Hope: Lifting Others With Love
- Related Questions
The 13th International Art Competition
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds an International Art Competition every two years. The Church’s international, juried art competition is not just an exhibition but a celebration of the diverse artistic expressions within the worldwide Latter-day Saint community.
The goals of the art competition are multifaceted: to encourage the creation of high-quality art, showcase the wide range of cultural expressions within the Church, and enrich the Church History Museum’s collection through purchase awards. This competition invites artists worldwide to interpret a common theme, resulting in a rich tapestry of styles, techniques, and media.
The theme, “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down,” emphasizes the Christian duty to support and uplift one another. It encourages artists to explore how we can be instruments of God’s love, offering relief and support to those in need. Hummel’s piece, Resurrecting Hope: Lifting Others With Love, aligns perfectly with this theme, visually representing how we can uplift each other.
Why Choose Mosaic as a Medium?
Mosaic is a unique and ancient art form that involves the assembly of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials to create an image or pattern.
Ceramic tile, a common material in mosaic art, is known for its durability and the vibrant colors it can achieve after firing. This medium allows for intricate detail and texture, qualities that are not easily replicated in other forms of visual art.
Reasons for Choosing Mosaic
In this artwork, Anita Hummel deliberately selected ceramic as her medium. She made this choice for several compelling reasons.
Mosaic Is A Unique Medium:
For Anita Hummel, choosing a mosaic represents a departure from her traditional oil paintings, allowing her to explore new artistic expressions. The unique nature of mosaic art, combined with precision and creativity, provides a fresh canvas for her to convey her message.
The Beauty of Diversity:
Using ceramic tile in this piece highlights the beauty that can be found in diverse materials and forms. Just as a mosaic comprises many different pieces, each contributing to the whole, so can helping others create a beautiful and complete picture of compassion and support.
Showcasing Skills and Tradition:
In Vietnam, where Anita Hummel has been working, mosaic art has a rich history. By using this medium, she pays homage to the local artistic traditions and demonstrates the universality of the message she seeks to convey.
The skills required to create a mosaic are a testament to the care and dedication required in acts of service and charity.
Appropriate for the Subject Matter:
The tactile and enduring nature of ceramic tiles makes them an excellent medium for a piece that deals with the timeless and universal themes of hope and charity. The physicality of the tiles, with their weight and permanence, mirrors the strength and lasting impact of uplifting others.
The Process of Creating the Mosaic
Creating a mosaic is a meticulous and labor-intensive process. It begins with the design phase, where the artist conceptualizes the final image and plans out the placement of each tile.
For Resurrecting Hope: Lifting Others With Love, Hummel designed a scene featuring hands reaching upwards, symbolizing the act of lifting others.
Steps in the Creation Process
Here are some of the basic steps in the Mosaic creation process.
- Preparation of Tiles:
The ceramic tiles must be carefully rolled, cut, and prepared. Each piece is unique, contributing to the mosaic’s texture and depth. - Painting and Firing:
Once cut, the tiles are hand-painted. This stage allows for the introduction of color and detail, adding life to the mosaic. After painting, the tiles are fired in a kiln to set the colors and harden the ceramic. The firing process is critical, transforming the raw materials into a durable and vibrant artwork. - Assembling the Mosaic:
After firing, the tiles are carefully checked for quality. Any tiles with imperfections are either corrected or replaced. The final assembly involves placing each tile according to the design, a painstaking process that requires precision and patience. - Final Touches:
The assembled mosaic is inspected for any final adjustments. The result is cohesive, intricate artwork that tells a powerful story.
Resurrecting Hope: Lifting Others With Love
Anita Hummel’s mosaic features two hands, one lifting the other, set against a backdrop of earthy tones and a celestial sky. The hands are rendered with care, showing the fine details of skin and nails, emphasizing the human touch.
At the bottom of the piece, the lush-colored grass symbolizes the earth, grounding the scene in reality. Above, the sky transitions to a heavenly realm, suggesting the divine nature of acts of kindness and support.
The piece’s theme revolves around hope and the power of love and charity. The hands represent individuals helping one another, lifting others from despair and difficulty. This act of support is not just a physical gesture but a spiritual one, resonating with the competition’s theme of “lifting up the hands which hang down.”
The piece’s symbolism is rich and layered. The grass at the bottom represents the earth, where human struggles and triumphs occur. It symbolizes growth, life, and the potential for renewal.
The hands reaching upwards signify helping others rise above their challenges, lifting them towards a higher state of being. The sky, representing the heavens, reminds us of the divine love and support that underpins our actions.
Anita Hummel’s choice to depict hands is significant. Hands are a universal symbol of action, connection, and help. In this context, they represent each person’s ability to make a difference in the lives of others. The hands in the mosaic are not just physical representations but also symbolic, symbolizing the acts of service, kindness, and charity that uplift others.
Resurrecting Hope: Lifting Others With Love is more than just an artwork; it is a call to action. Anita Hummel’s use of ceramic tiles in this mosaic beautifully captures the essence of the 13th International Art Competition’s theme. The piece is a testament to the power of art to convey profound spiritual truths and inspire viewers to engage in meaningful acts of service.
By choosing mosaic as her medium, Hummel not only explores new artistic territory but also honors the rich tradition of ceramic art. The detailed process of creating this piece—from the preparation of tiles to the final assembly—mirrors the careful and thoughtful way we must approach acts of charity and love.
This artwork reminds us that lifting others fulfills our spiritual obligations and gives us the joy and hope that come from being instruments of divine love.
The hands in the mosaic powerfully symbolize this truth, showing that through our actions, we can help resurrect hope in the hearts of those who are struggling. In doing so, we are uplifted and experience the heavenly joy of serving others.
Titian’s influence can be seen in the works of countless artists who followed, from the Baroque period to modern times. His contributions to art have ensured his place as a towering figure in the history of Western painting, making him truly deserving of the title “The Greatest Italian Renaissance Painter of the Venetian School.
Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy!
If you are interested to see any of my art, you can find out more by clicking here. If you are interested in what inspires me and my paintings, you can discover more by clicking here.
We have a free newsletter and would love you to be part of our community; you can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk to you anytime. You can reach me, Anita, by clicking here.
Subscribe to our Anita Louise Art YouTube Channel filled with great videos and information by clicking here.
Related Questions
The Red Flowers, By Anita Louise Hummel
The Red Flowers by Anita Louise Hummel is a painting that was inspired by bright red flowers. I initially saw these flowers on a rain jacket that a designer wore while walking down the runway in New York City’s famous fashion week. I fell in love with the colors and look of the flowers, so I decided to paint them.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading The Red Flowers, By Anita Louise Hummel.
Behind The Veil, By Anita Louise Hummel
Behind the Veil, by Anita Louise Hummel, is a painting that is a tribute to women wearing a veil or a burka. There is something mysterious and beautiful about a woman who wears a veil, especially when the woman has nicely manicured nails, golden jewels, and piercing blue eyes. Behind The Veil shows that beauty is more than just appearances and is under the skin; beauty can shine through a woman’s veil.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Behind The Veil, By Anita Louise Hummel.
Elder Koda, By Anita Louise Art, Vietnam Hanoi Mission Mascot
Elder Koda by Anita Louise Hummel is a painting of a purebred black poodle named Koda. Koda has lived the last three years in Hanoi, Vietnam, and has become the Hanoi Vietnam Mission mascot for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Elder Koda, By Anita Louise Art, Vietnam Hanoi Mission Mascot.
