40 Days.
by Alison Stigora
These artworks were created one a day for forty days during the season of Lent.
Lent is traditionally a contemplative time of spiritual preparation leading up to Easter.
The materials are things I encountered throughout those days and became a means for reflection and prayer.
You’re invited to pause and engage these works however it makes sense to you.
These artworks will be on display in the Sideris Church sanctuary throughout the 40 days of Lent, with all 40 pieces fully installed on Easter Sunday.
Day 1.
Broken in the dirt.
Found glass, soil, sticks on panel.
Walking to my car,
found glass on the sidewalk
mixed with soil at the base of a tree.
Everywhere, brokenness glimmers.
Day 2.
beauty/broken.
Found glass in parking lot on Commodore Way,
gravel.
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart,
O God.
Day 3.
Smashed light.
Found in alley outside the Art building.
John 3:19
The people loved darkness
because their deeds were evil.
Day 4.
Broken window.
Found sheet glass in dumpster.
Genesis 3:7- shattered Eden
At that moment their eyes were opened,
and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.
So they sewed fig leaves to cover themselves.
They were naked and hid from God in the garden. God came seeking, saying, “Where are you?”
Day 5.
Stubborn root.
Roots and soil on panel.
Found my neighbor in the yard
Ripping out stubborn roots
To make room for new plantings.
Jeremiah 4:3
Break up your fallow ground,
do not sow among thorns.
Day 6.
Taproot.
Burnt roots on panel.
Freshly uprooted,
green and resistant to burning.
“The taproot drives deepest,
anchoring the tree to its purpose.”
-Leonie H. Mattison
Day 7.
TOAST.
Pieces of uprooted stump, scorched.
Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground.
Day 8.
Firewood.
Beach on a cold day
Found firewood
Burned and cut to size
Daniel 3:25
But I see four men unbound,
walking in the midst of the fire,
and they are not hurt;
and the appearance of the fourth
is like a son of the gods.
Day 9.
Beauty for Ashes.
charcoal / sand / glass
Isaiah 61:3
To grant to those who mourn in Zion-
to give them a beautiful headdress
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
Romans 4:17
God who brings the dead back to life
and who creates new things out of nothing.