Joel connecting with art community through ‘common language’
- kirranicolle
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
A Salvationist in Western Australia has been appointed to the committee of an Australian fine art award that focuses on a Scriptural theme.
Photographer, videographer and writer Joel Gibson, son of rural and remote chaplains Majors Michelle and Niall Gibson and husband of Merriwa Corps Officer Lieutenant Kirsten Gibson, said it was special to be able to engage his faith and creativity through his role on the committee of the Mandorla Art Award.
As someone who didn’t play music growing up, he explained that he was recently finding his place in a creative context within The Salvation Army. Joel is currently working as a Digital Communications Officer for a not-for-profit.
Creative Arts Ministries National Lead Shushannah Anderson said The Salvation Army had an opportunity to give space for people to flourish in their creative giftings, and Joel was an example of this.
“Beauty has always been important in art and in telling God's story [through church],” Shushannah said. “I think it’s awesome for The Salvation Army in this day and age to be empowering people to use their creative skills regardless of the output of that and trying to encourage people [that] if you play an instrument, brilliant, use that. But if you do art, do art. If you paint, paint. If you sculpt, sculpt. If you dance, dance.
“Use everything you have for the glory of God.”
The Mandorla Art Award, which is open to all artists across Australia and is held every two years in Perth, is based on a Bible passage which is linked to a broader idea. This year’s theme is centred on the topic ‘What is Truth? “I was afraid, because I was naked: and I hid myself” – Genesis 3:10’. The award is the most significant of its kind in the country.
The Mandorla Art Award is open to anyone, with or without a faith background. Committee members work to choose a theme, then execute the planning and rollout of the award process, while the judges select the winner. Joel said the committee members and previous winners represented a vast array of faith backgrounds, and it provided a special way to connect across faith and denominational divides.
Shushannah said she felt it was important for Salvationists to be working alongside those of other denominations and faith backgrounds, especially while speaking the “common language” of art.
“I think it's fantastic that Joel is using the skills that God has given him in these spaces, where it can encourage faith-based conversations and it can encourage unity in the body of Christ,” Shushannah said. “Joel’s using his skills in the opportunities God is giving him, and I think that’s absolutely brilliant.”
