Thematic conversations
The Glory of Work
In this interview, conducted at the artist’ studio in New York, Nya′ explains how the theme of ‘work’ is woven into the tapestry of faith, vision and purpose - the three dimensions upon which his work emanates.
KONADU A.N:
You describe work as a “tool every human being was inherently given to use in order to exercise his intrinsic mandate of dominating his environment.”
Explain how the theme of work is portrayed in some of your works?
NYA′:
In “Redeemer of Dreams,” my intention in affixing the remnants of a rusty and old zipped suitcase towards the foot of the picture plane was to express how every human being is born with a unique gift deposited inside them. The steel buttons, suitcase handle, door hinges and screws represent every Man’s sole responsibility to discover, develop, serve and distribute his gift to the world by discovering his divine purpose in life. And work is the tool or instrument Mankind has been given to cultivate, perfect and serve his gift to the human family.
Redeemer of Dreams
KONADU A.N:
How does your use of color in the composition support your intention?
NYA′:
The colors in “Redeemer of Dreams” have a dual meaning. The shades of purple and gold represent the rich and divine glory of work. In essence, the hues visually express how work is a divinely bestowed gift, an endowment from the Creator of the universe to his most precious possession and creation, Mankind.
However, since He created Man in His own image, the opulent colors also represent how the genius and wisdom of God is manifested through the work of a person who has discovered his supreme and divine purpose in life.
The colors, including the shades of scarlet, ash black and burnt sienna also represent the power of passion, the eminence of prayer and faith-filled words in every human being’s quest to find the divine keys that will unlock his purpose; thereby setting him free from the monotony of conforming to the standards or patterns of this world.
KONADU A.N:
It seems like all the found materials you employ to create your textures are restricted to distinguishing rusty, callous, old and banal objects
Explain how these materials relate to the theme of work?
NYA′:
The shards of an old vintage suitcase in “Redeemer of Dreams,” the remnants of a grade two braille and scattered earth in “Genesis of Eternity” allegorically represent how every human being, regardless of his origin is endowed with a unique and incomparable gift.
Therefore, despite your age (as represented by the old materials), your background and location (as represented by the various places the materials were salvaged from) and despite how society views you (as represented by the fact that the materials were collected from trash yards and garbage tins) you can still unlock your potential, release the gift inside you and benefit humanity through discovering your purpose, developing your gift and diligently serving it to the world.
Genesis of Eternity
KONADU A.N:
Before you created “Redeemer of Dreams,” I understand from your painting notes that you invested a considerable amount of time researching the origins of the word, ‘work’
NYA′:
Naturally, it is my custom to invest time in extensive research and study prior to the actual creation of a painting. And with “Redeemer of Dreams,” I began researching the root meaning of the word ‘work’ in 1999, and concluded the research in 2004 before working on the composition which I completed in 2005.
Through my research, which led me to study the original meaning of the word from the Old and New Testament, my eyes were opened to see some hidden truths that have impacted not only my paintings but has renewed my mind.
KONADU A.N:
Please enlighten us on your discovery and perhaps share with us how the research results have renewed your mind?
NYA′:
It will be extremely arduous and impractical to share the entire contents of my research results in this interview, but in brief, it suffices to say that I discovered that ‘to work’ is to be transformed through your faith into what you were genetically coded and spiritually created to be.
To work is also to enthusiastically cultivate and gradually improve and ripen your unique gift for the benefit of the entire human family.
I also discovered that ‘to work’ is to protect, or to shield, shelter and watch over the unique gift richly deposited inside you as you diligently and devotedly develop and distribute it until your assignment on earth is accomplished.
In other words, work is a unique, unparalleled and peculiar assignment specifically given to every human being by his Creator. It is actually the reason for your existence and the ultimate decider of your unique personality, skin color and the womb that delivered you to earth.
When you discover your work, the man-made concepts of retirement, salary, pay-check and bonus are banished from your thinking since no human can never retire from his work, be paid enough for his work, held back from his work by unpredictable economic gyrations, be fired from his work, or released from his work until he departs from the earth.
KONADU A.N:
In conclusion, how did your research redefine your definition of work?
NYA′:
I think the preparatory notes for the work sum up my new and enlightened understanding of work.
KONADU A.N:
Do you mind sharing it?
NYA′:
“The aggregate value, esteem and total sum of every breathing soul is enraptured in work. Enduring joy and abiding peace are embraced when one discovers his work. Work is the purpose of Mankind’s existence, work is the reservoir of passion. Work is the sanctuary of self-control. Work is the residence of responsibility and the assassinator of irresponsibility. Work is the cure for greed. Work is the custodian of freedom. Work is the tabernacle of vision and the tool for dominating, subduing, replenishing and fruitfully managing the earth with the authority and power of The Blessing of the Lord.
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