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ST. JOHN PAUL II'S LETTER TO ARTISTS: VOCATION OF THE ARTIST
Written by: Samantha Claire Mendoza

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In Genesis, we learn that God created man in His image and likeness. Along with this privilege, he also bestowed upon man the task to dominate the Earth. God entrusted man the craftsman task mirroring His image as the Creator. In St John Paul II’s Letter to Artist, we learn about the vocation entrusted by God to the artists. According to St. John Paul II (1999, p.2), “God therefore called man into existence, committing him to the craftsman task.” Primarily, the vocation of the artist is related to the task bestowed upon him by God.  In a sense, the artist’s vocation is to recognize beauty in the works of God and also to use their artistic talents, develop it, use it for the service of the common good of humanity and not to let this gift go to waste.

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Each artist not only actualizes their artistic idea but in some way, they use art as an avenue to express themselves. All that God has created is good and therefore, artists are also called to a vocation to create art that is always leaning towards what is good. God allowed the artist to exercise freedom in creation, but this freedom is not always absolute. The artist is always called to create for the good. But, it is important to note that not all men are artists in sense the specific of creating art. St. John Paul II (1999, p.2) clears this distinction by saying that human beings who are not artists are called to be accountable for their acts which should be of moral value and to be an artist is to respond to the demands of art and actualizing one’s creative capabilities.

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The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

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Also, in St. John Paul II’s letter, he emphasizes the relationship between artist and the Church. The Church needs art in the same way that it needs artists to be able to communicate to the world Christ’s Word through the moral life of the artists conveyed through their works. In turn, artists find purpose in creating art through Christ.

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It is therefore the artist's special vocation, through their special God-given talents, to create beauty that is directed towards the good and to communicate it through their art. They also have the responsibility to represent God in their works since it is He who bestowed upon them the craftsman task as the Ultimate Creator. It is upon the artists to communicate to the people what is good and what is true through the works of art that they make.