THE BEAUTY OF THE UNIVERSE – UPLIFTING ARTWORKS - A SNEAK PREVIEW AND REFLECTIONS BY MY GUEST, FR. JOSEPH THAM LC
Smitten By Faith Issue Nr # 00055 January 7th 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my readers!
It is most appropriate that I commence 2023 with a sneak preview of some inspiring, elegant and beautiful artworks by my friend and priest Fr. Joseph Tham LC from Hong Kong and Rome, a former physician and now a Catholic priest and scientist whose God-given talent with the paint brush leaves the viewer of his artworks understandably awe-struck.
Above : Fr. Joseph Tham at his talk and Exhibition in Hong Kong in January 2022, ‘Art For God’. The picture on the far right shows my husband Terry and I with Fr. Joseph.
In 1994, when he heard the calling from God, Fr. Joseph left his medical practice and all earthly materialism to become a simple Catholic priest. During the long training period, he had to give up one of the greatest joys of his life – painting. Fr. Joseph had been well trained in calligraphy and Chinese painting ever since he was a young boy in Hong Kong and then Canada. I can surmise that giving up this very pleasurable activity was not at all easy.
Now, as a fully-fledged priest, academician and well-known scholar, Fr. Joseph teaches Bioethics at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome. Best of all, Fr. Joseph is able to paint again – whenever he finds the time from his many spiritual duties.
Today, I will share with you some of Fr. Joseph Tham’s artworks from THE BEAUTY OF THE UNIVERSE which will be exhibited for the first time in Kuala Lumpur at the Gallery in Sunway University from January 9th to 14th, a wonderful collaboration with Sunway University, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation and the Regina Apostolorum Foundation with all proceeds going to education. Prior to this, in January 2022, I was fortunate enough to be able to help Fr. Joseph exhibit his paintings at his Exhibition in Hong Kong entitled ‘ART FOR GOD’ which was a huge success.
You will see below, Fr. Joseph’s reflections beneath each of the paintings which I have selected from THE BEAUTY OF THE UNIVERSE. The paintings are divided into the 3 categories of Humanity, Earth and Heaven – all in Harmony. You will see how Fr. Joseph skilfully uses his tremendous skill and grace with Chinese brush painting, calligraphy and seal carving not just within the context of traditional Chinese wisdom but also, very importantly - Christian spirituality. His deep faith permeates his art.
And, it’s going to be Chinese New Year very soon. So, Fr. Joseph’s paintings are a wonderful way to begin the Year of the Rabbit – the luckiest animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Let us now go over to Fr. Joseph’s paintings and his reflections as he paints and writes about Heaven, Earth and Humanity in Harmony
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FR. JOSEPH THAM IN ROME, HONG KONG and KUALA LUMPUR
January 7th, 2023
In these turbulent times we all desire harmony more than ever. We need healing with the Earth and nature, and peace among humanity. ‘Heaven, Earth and Humankind’ are the three elements that the ancient Chinese have conceived to be the significant components of the Cosmos, each with a specific role to play. The desire implicit in this saying is that the Universe strives to achieve harmony through the interactions of these players. Harmony is a Chinese and Confucian ideal that would result when first, there is peace among human beings. According to Confucius, peace requires the principle of ‘ The Golden Mean’ that humanity needs to follow in society. According to Confucian thought, harmony comes with self-discipline so that a person is at peace with himself and his or her passions only through the development of virtues. This would then spread outwards towards circles of relationships – among family members, friends, workplaces, within governments and eventually among nations.
Harmony Seal carving created by Fr. Joseph
The symbolism of this seal carving above is taken from a traditional round shape design. The ancient Chinese words for ‘Heaven’ and ‘Man’ have the same root that looks like a stick figure of a human being. The design emphasizes that from Heaven, God becomes man in his incarnation. The kneeling posture of man represents God's kenosis, the self-emptying of Jesus. When you look carefully, the three round dots symbolize the mystery of unity in the Trinity. The partition of the seal is in the shape of a cross, reminding us that we are reconciled to God through the Paschal mystery. The circle is a symbol of unity and harmony. The circular seal is the size of the communion bread, the Eucharistic host that is the spiritual food that sustains us in our journey towards this ideal of universal harmony.
HARMONY WITH HUMANITY
Confucius emphasizes that peace and harmony come when everyone is virtuous. Hence, he underscores the need for cultivating virtues within ourselves. The artworks of this Group focus on the need to persevere in self-discipline and character development encouraged by the examples and wisdom of the sages. Growth in character and virtues will help us manage varied situations as well as adversities of life. Harmony in the family and society will then follow when this is achieved
Calligraphy - SAYING BY LAOZI IN SEAL SCRIPT
Created in 2020
Dimensions: 34 cm X 138 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
Laozi asks, “How can one be like dust and light at the same time?”
He replied that we need to blunt our sharp edges, relieve the discord, harmonize the brilliance, and mix with the earth. It means taking the middle way by dissolving the extremes to attain peace. In this perfect state, our hearts will be tranquil. It is a blessed condition of harmonious living.
NOBLE BREEZE
Painted in 1994
Dimensions : 68 cm X 138 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
The bamboo is strong; yet flexible at the same time; able to resist the tempests. Its strength comes from being hollow inside, which denotes its humility. The bamboo is also regularly segmented, which symbolizes the virtue of temperance and chastity. These are some of the many virtues that will perfect the human person.
DAUNTLESS
Painted in 2021
Dimensions: 32.5 cm X 96.5 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
The plum blossom starts budding when there is still winter frost. It's a symbol of resilience in the face of adversities that we may face in life.
HARMONY WITH EARTH
Regarding the proper relationship with the Earth, the ecological question comes to mind and currently it is the most worrisome issue due to human over-exploitation, pollution and disregard for the environment. The artworks in this section try to recapture the awe we should have when encountering the marvel and beauty of creation. The cycle of life, the rhythm of the seasons, the exuberance of colours and vitality are contrasted with the serenity of existence, silence of a tranquil scene and the simplicity of patterns. While humankind has dominated its surroundings with technology, we should recognize that we are also tasked with stewardship to protect our surroundings.
STILLNESS AND MOTION
Painted in 1994
Dimensions : 33 cm X 71 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
In Chinese, the Iris flower is referred to as purple swallow because the blossom resembles the shape of the elegant bird. This contrast of the swift flight among the plants in tranquil waters reminds us of the human condition, of the need to pause in the midst of activities.
TASTY HARVEST
Painted in 2013
Dimensions : 48 cm X 143 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
The recent outbreak of the Pandemic shows the damage we can do to ourselves when we upset this balance. In the recent encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis, he advises us to undergo an ecological conversion in order to fight against a throwaway culture. So, we can do this by moderating our appetite to dominate the use of technology; spend time with family; worship through contemplation and art and beauty.
ITALIAN WATERFALLS
Painted in 2020
Dimensions : 31.5 cm X 130 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
This scene is taken from a summer vacation in the valley of Val Formazza in Northern Italy. Our community spent two weeks there to enjoy the many hiking trails and beautiful scenery. This Toce Waterfall is now converted to provide hydroelectric power and only opens periodically. When the water flows it is an impressive sight indeed.
HARMONY WITH HEAVEN
Harmony with Heaven deals with our relationship with God or the Transcendence depending on one's faith or conviction. The different works of art here look at various aspects of spirituality and religion. Human beings constantly aim for something lasting, incorruptible and eternal. This desire prompts us to ask where we came from and where we are going.
ECSTASY in running script
Created in 2020
Dimensions: 37 cm X 86 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
Rules and disciplines are necessary at the beginning of one’s spiritual journey in order for one to stay on the straight and narrow path. However, as one progresses spiritually, religious life offers true interior freedom, akin to the concept of being ‘free and unfettered’ which does not mean a laissez-faire lifestyle, but to be at peace with oneself—with one’s state of life, with neighbours and with God. This is the concept of ‘ecstasy’ of the mystics.
POEM BY SU DONGPO
Created in 2020
Dimensions : 33 cm X 135.5 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
The poet reflects on the meaning of life through gazing at the moon. He would like to fly up to the heavens but is afraid of the cold. Life is full of ups and downs, just like the moon that is sometimes bright and other times hidden. It is an existential questioning of the eternal truth that he is unable to fathom.
MYSTICAL ROSE
Painted in 1994
Dimensions: 47 cm X 81 cm
Fr. Joseph’s Reflections
One of the titles of The Virgin Mary is ‘The Mystical Rose’. Mary had a deep spiritual life because she was able to detect the presence of God in her circumstances, and she treasured all the things of God in her heart. Mysticism is really the spiritual path destined for all Christians who are called to great levels of holiness. Observing morning dew on rose petals reminds me that God comes to us like the dewfall which is often times imperceptible. The mystic is one who can detect and decipher God’s tender touch in the most ordinary way. God is a lot more present that we think.
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