Art in Heaven 2019

Olivia (14)
The Queens School
Where have you been?

The subject I wanted to convey for this piece was one I really struggled to put into an image. It isn't new - the concept of the divine absentee father figure - in fact from a young age I've identified it as the most likely possibility. Truth be told, I have very little hope in God, but I still question if he were to be watching over us, what kind of being would He be?

It's cynical no doubt that the simplest metaphor I've heard for why I disagree with the term benevolent Lord came from a family member. A man builds a farm and gathers animals to fill its pastures, but once he is done he opens the gates and leaves them at their own hands. Animals which can hurt each other do so, some are left in pasture with very little grass and cannot escape it, while others live in plentiful fields with running water. People pass the chaotic form and smile. He is so kind giving them free will. But you see he hasn't, he has put them in danger, in an environment which hurts them, and has abandoned them to deal with it. He enforced no rules, He protects no one. You could argue that they do these things to each other and they have freedom to help themselves but you cannot blame animals for their natural instincts - nor humans for their inevitable conflict - to distract from the fact that you put them in this position then this would be the outcome. How can we be judged in sin when we are placed in the perfect situation to act sinfully?

In my image I include a figure watching TV, seemingly unaware of the hands pushing through the blinds. Not an old, wise figure distracted by something important but the young one, distracted by something superficial; I think this echoes the image we are supposed to have of our young generation - uncaring, unconscientious - when really, we are in need of someone higher than that. He should be better than us, if we are to be judged by Him. This is supposed to symbolise humanity asking for help but being shut out. It's not as though the idea of God is one, I dislike inherently I see it's comfort. However even if we were put here with purpose, either whoever did so is now gone or simply doesn't care anymore. If there is a God, I don't believe he is doing the best job.