Though I’m primarily a painter, I believe any artist ought to dabble. Outside the studio, I work part time as a graphic designer, and occasionally I use those tools toward artistic ends. Here are a couple examples of art I created in design software with a combination of photo collage and digital painting techniques.
Pantokrator in Black and Brown
Created for “De-colonizing the Christ”
Best in Show Winner, 2021.
I created this digital image for a show called “De-colonizing the Christ” to be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2021. The call for entries requested images of Christ that depict him as non-White. As I thought of what I might make the face look like, it struck me that Christ is in all of us—we are all reflections of our Creator—so I decided to work in collage. But the idea of a non-White Christ resonated for deeper reasons, too.
Throughout scripture, God defends the poor, the sick, the outcast, and the hurting. Time after time, God is the liberator of the oppressed. For Christ to be presented as a White man, today, in America, places God on the side of the oppressor. If Christ is not de-colonized, Christ is the colonizer.
One of the oldest Byzantine icons of Christ is called “Christ Pantokrator,” meaning “Christ Almighty.” I reference that title in the title of this piece (and in the iconic gold halo) to draw attention to a purposeful shift in the power dynamic. By collaging together portraits that represent the marginalized in contemporary America—Black and Brown people, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, the poor, the elderly, and women among others—I imagine a Christ who would specifically empower them. The piece is a small token of allyship in The Struggle. It is meant to be a small step toward undoing the centuries of injustice perpetrated in this country and calls on a broader imagination of Christ that shows a radical inclusivity in the Gospel message. All are welcome. All are forgiven. May it be so.
Into the Blue
Created for Riverworks Marketing
This custom digital abstract work was created for a marketing company who asked me to update their conference room by bringing in their brand colors (neon green and navy) and a sense of strategic, forward-thinking creativity. Ultimately, the work ended up resonating with the idea of brainstorming and the push-pull dynamic of team collaboration.
Interested in art for your company’s space? I’d love to hear from you.
The Handshake
Electric Box Wrap for ArtSpark, Chattanooga TN
The many colors in this design are indicative of Chattanooga’s diversity, and here they come together to form something cohesive and beautiful. I believe a healthy city must recognize and respect its diversity and honor its peoples histories, stories, traditions, experiences, and needs.
This is an especially important message to be conveyed through public art because the medium has the opportunity to speak to every type of individual—no matter their age, race, income level, orientation, gender, marital status, religion, or any other line we draw between ourselves and others. No matter who the viewer may be, public art is accessible.
In an increasingly divided cultural and political landscape, this design reminds passersby to offer a warm hello to a neighbor, or to offer a helping hand to those in need. It encourages us to welcome the outsider, comfort the hurting, and listen to those who may seem dissimilar to ourselves. It reminds us that fighting is not a solution to our differences, because before we can shake hands, we must first open up our fists.
Brian Behm Art 