Low Down Articles
Artist Profiles - Christine Granger
Article 24 of 73
From the book Artists of the Gatineau Hill by Catherine Joyce. This article first appeared in the "Artist Profiles" column in the November 15, 2006 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Joy to the World
Christine Granger has been painting icons of the Madonna and child for over 25 years. An accomplished artist, she is breathing new life into an ancient tradition that is poignantly relevant to the world today.
With images of such brilliant colour and arresting tenderness, she recreates an archetype that goes back to prehistoric times. In the Christian tradition the mother and child becomes the embodiment of Divine Love.
"When you paint the Mother and Child, you really mean the Incarnation or Christmas. There is a lovely line by the poet Gerald Manley Hopkins, 'Every day is Christmas and every day Christ is born in us'. I like to think of my art as akin to Gospel music or Christmas carols, bearing witness to the joy that Christ brings to our lives."
Christine grew up in Toronto, the eldest of five, in a Ukrainian family where icons were part of daily life at home and church. Her mother was an artist who encouraged Christine when a course in icon painting revealed a unique talent in her four years at the Ontario College of Art.
"There was something in this image that compelled me and later, when my children were born, I returned to it. I would get up at the crack of dawn to paint in my kitchen. I didn't want to copy icons as they were traditionally portrayed, ornate and difficult, with the Madonna often severe. I wanted to make the Mother and Child very simple, yet rich in colour, to reveal the truth offered to us. Within the Eastern Church one of Mary's most popular titles means 'Cause of Our Joy'."
Christine began to read widely, noting how deeply the Madonna has influenced poets, novelists, composers and contemplatives. Favorite writers captured her heart - Rilke, George Macdonald, Hildegaard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich. "C.S. Lewis says 'Joy is the serious business of heaven'. For me joy is also the serious business of life. Everything is transfigured when we can see the finger of God in Nature and each other."
In her paintings Christine reveals the subtle, reciprocal bond between Mother and Child. As Mary holds her babe, so too the Child is holding her. "I found Christ came to the forefront. I began to paint Him with bright colours - golds and reds for fire and divinity - for He is the miracle. And She is the first person He is upholding."
In a new book by Novalis Press, Christine has gathered 30 of her exquisite icons with poems and writings by authors who share this rich tradition of mysticism, art and music. "My art is a song, a form of praise. We all have our daily work to do, then we must do our song. Each of us longs for something that touches the mystery around us. I believe that if you are given the talent, then the vision is also given to you. First you have to live it until it is yours, then slowly you can bring it forth. Although words and colours are always inadequate - if you follow your vision, something mysterious like grace occurs."