Then Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze,  to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.’ 

EXODUS 35:30–33

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It can be challenging to be an artist. Artists are often viewed as individual geniuses who stand against convention and tradition. They’re seen as radical and responsible to no one. But this story is false.

As we’ve already considered, art-making is a thoroughly creaturely affair: it’s one good vocation among many given for the praise of God and the good of the world. So, how can we better understand art-making? What postures characterise faithful artistry? And, as one vocation among many, what might art-making teach us about good work generally?

Consider Bezalel, son of Uri, the artist tasked with making Israel’s sanctuary and tabernacle. We’re left in no doubt that here is a gifted person, one who is alive to the beauty of the world and primed to join in. But Bezalel is not an isolated genius intent on self-expression. His work may be singular, yet Bezalel’s artistry helpfully highlights some general features of all art-making.

Here is a human creature making with the stuff of creation. Art involves hard work, attentiveness, years of practise and life-long learning, delight with curiosity. Above all, faithful art-making entails limits – physical, moral, spiritual – and wisdom to work well with the grain of creation. And his work is bound up with others and with the flourishing of human community.

If we acknowledge art involves these things – hard work, paying attention, learning, limitations, and collaboration – we can also intuit some of the postures of good artistry. Experienced artists are typically gifted with distinct insight and an intuitive grasp of the possibilities for meaning and beauty. But they are often also marked by humility, diligence, and patience: they’re reasonably unconcerned about themselves and intent on work that reflects the integrity of the creation.

The constraints and postures of making, then, reflect our human life and calling. As such, art-making can highlight features of good work generally. Faithfulness in such creaturely making requires that artists not only work hard at their craft, but also that they become wise. Bezalel does not conceive of himself as a mini-god, free from all constraints to express himself as he wishes; he is not some lonely genius intent on making a name for himself. Rather, we are shown an artist whose hard work and skill are permeated with the knowledge of God: God who gives each artist life and to whom each artist might respond with faithful making. Here, that means art that enables the life of a community before God, that reflects back God’s glory – just as a mirror reflects light.

Dr John Dennison
John is a poet, essayist, and Director of Resources at Venn Foundation in New Zealand. Venn is an education institution that helps people embrace the riches of Scripture and the Christian tradition for the good of their homes, workplaces, universities, churches and communities. John’s the author of Letter to An Artist, a beautiful, practical, and readable reflection on the nature of art-making and its place in God’s purposes.

Prayerfully reflect on your everyday work. What learned postures and practices characterise your best work? Give thanks for these. Where do you need wisdom in your work? Ask God for this.