Romanticism

Every week, we have to write a paper on some of the insights we gained in class. I was reading some of my classmates' insight posts, and one of them began with this quote.

“If true art is a contradiction, we are the greatest piece of art. I mean, natural man and Spirit!”

~Victoria Barros

She used my quote to build he insight upon. This girl, Sadie, thought something I said was enough to chew on, and ruminate upon.

Brother Ward, our teacher, said that he understood art to be defined as when contradictions are tied together in one place. These framed contradictions are meant to change the views of the viewer. All the while, all I could think was, "I am a walking, singing, dancing, sleeping, crying contradiction." God made me. He made many many pieces of art. If that is the definition of art, which I believe is true, then are we not the greatest pieces of art? Body and Spirit combine to make the soul? I am a child of God. I am like Him in many ways. I am a child of Allen and Karen. My body is human, faulty and powerful like theirs. I am a contradiction.

"The natural man is an enemy to God, and has been forever..." "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God." My soul, me, who I am, is a combination of God, and potential godliness, as well as body. I cannot be me without both. I am art. I am not only beloved of my Father in Heaven, but it is His work and glory to bring to pass my immortality and eternal life.

It is my opportunity to give other children the chance to have souls: the combination of body and spirit. It is my job to give the other half to someone. God presides over this, but I have a sacred responsibility to give this gift. Women really are, in a sense, partners with God. A sacred partnership. A sacred artistic endeavor.

If true art is a set of contradictions tied together, then I am true art. God is the true artist. I am His sculpture, His painting, His song, His poem, His dance, and His creative offspring.