No matter where you are in the world, one thing always stays the same. Whether you’re deep in a forest under tall trees, on a busy city sidewalk surrounded by towering skyscrapers or in the middle of rural field, when you look up your view will be the same — you’ll see the sky. Clear blue, full of angry clouds, or somewhere in between, the sky is a constant character of the world.
Charisse Sallade, a senior art major at Asbury University, utilizes the sky’s constant and familiar presence in her upcoming senior show, titled “Into a Closeness.”
“All of the paintings are skyscapes, meaning there is no land depicted. This is intentional,” said Sallade. “You can’t tell from the images, but some of these clouds were from Albania, Colombia, Michigan, Wilmore or my home in Indiana. No matter where my current position is on this earth, the sky remains vast and clouds are still captivating. In the same way, God’s character remains the same, though my location may change.”
The inspiration for Sallade’s show comes from Exodus 33:7-11, which tells us about God’s character. God speaks to Moses through a cloud, and speaks to him as if he were talking to a friend face to face.
“After reading Exodus 33:7-11, I was inspired to do a show made entirely of clouds,” said Sallade. “I often learn important lessons from the Father when intentionally seeking him. Usually these moments with God are on walks with him, looking to the vast sky above me.”
“Into a Closeness,” the name of the show, comes from one of Sallade’s journal entries. This specific entry is included in the show.
All of the pieces in the show were created in the past nine months, but a senior show is also the culmination of an art student’s college career. As Sallade’s show approaches, she has reflected on her time at Asbury as an art major.
“I recall having so much anxiety as an incoming freshman. I was terrified of department critiques, performing poorly and really any imperfection in my work,” said Sallade. “I was on a destructive path until I took figure drawing with Prof. Segre-Lewis; that course really changed my trajectory. I was invited to surrender perfectionism to God and simply create with no inhibitions or fears. I began learning what it looks like to paint as an act of worship instead of self-glorification.”
Overall, Sallade describes her experience as an artist and her relationship with God as a journey, which can be seen through her work.
“The hope is for my senior show to be a depiction of my journey into a closer relationship with Jesus,” said Sallade.
Sallade’s show opens in the Blue Gallery on Oct. 28 and runs until Nov. 22. The reception is on Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m.
