The Art of Unity
A Muslim finds some common ground and fellowship in a Christian art competition.
When Alam heard about PF Canada’s recent prisoner art competition, he wanted to participate but had two concerns. The first was that he had limited access to art supplies—just coloured pencils. He enjoyed thinking creatively, however, so decided he could use coffee and tea to create his art. “I stained the paper with tea,” he explains,” and applied the coffee using a chiselled pencil as a quill.
His next concern was more complicated. As a Muslim, Alam wondered how he could participate in a competition sponsored by a Christian organization. Alam enjoyed the company of PF Canada representatives and had been participating in PF programmes since his incarceration two years ago, even attending chapel services. “I have been considering a conversion to Christianity but have not done so as of yet,” he says. “I need to study and compare more.”
Realizing that both faiths share a belief in the same God and a love of fellowship, Alam chose to focus on these commonalities. “And so with much love I extend the handshake of peace between us in a piece I have called Unity,” he says.
Alam submitted just one of the 138 pieces PF Canada received from 31 institutions across the country for its 2011 Art Competition, which was part of the PF World Convocation International Art Exhibition. The positive feedback PF Canada received regarding the art programme and competition has been overwhelming. One chaplain commented that the theme of this year’s contest—hope, forgiveness, restoration, freedom—resulted in an hour-long discussion with the inmates. “They were asking deep questions about the theme,” says Tara Bishop, of PF Canada. “Other Chaplains seized the teachable moment to talk about restorative justice and the Gospel message,” she adds.
Responding to the positive feedback, PF has introduced an art therapy programme in the Fraser Valley Institute for women called “Keep an Eye on your Soul,” based on the book by Jerome Gastaldi. In the workshop, Canadian artist Brooke Anderson uses painting, drawing, collage, poetry and writing as mediums for participants to explore their belief system and their past, present and future goals.
