This painting-sculpture hybrid contains graphite, fabric, cardboard, acrylic paint, rope, book pages from (A Commonwealth of Hope: Augustine’s Political Thought) and others shown here, along with pear fruit. 24 x 18 in. on wood panel, 2022.
Limited edition, signed and numbered Giclée prints HERE
Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. Born: November 13, 354 AD and Died: August 28, 430 AD
This was a commission for my friend Dr. Michael Lamb in support of his latest book: A Commonwealth of Hope: Augustine’s Political Thought. Purchase your copy HERE
Michael is the Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character, and Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Humanities at Wake Forest University.
SYMBOLISM in the portrait:
PEARS: The pear tree represents a highly symbolic act in Augustine’s life. He and some friends went to their neighbour’s property and stole pears from his neighbour. For Augustine, it was his original sin in the garden of delight.
When Augustine describes why he took the pears, he simply claims he did it because he wanted them for the sake of doing evil. He did not even eat the pears but dumped them out elsewhere. He did evil just to do evil.
THE TWO CITIES: Augustine used an illustration of two cities in trying to explain the distinction between the Church and the world. Two loves have formed two cities, he claimed. The love of self has formed the earthly city; the love of God has formed the heavenly one.
THE FLAMING HEART: Symbolizes Augustine's love of God and his fellow brothers and sisters. The Augustinian heart is passionately alive, with the desire to know God and experience divine love in our lives.