The Meaning of Marion...

If you type "Marion Art" into google,you actually get quite a few results...there's some kind of art consultation company...a few community organizations...a few galleries located in towns named "marion"...but eventually you run into something called "marian art"...and I suppose that's where the story of the blog name begins...

Marian art is, simply put, artwork that deals with the story of the biblical Mary and I suppose it was the following idea that drew me to the concept...

Although Marian art items may at times be viewed from an artistic perspective and sold at auctions, or discussed from an academic viewpoint in the context of art history, from a religious viewpoint they form part of the very fabric of Roman Catholic Marian culture.

That is, it's art...but that's not it's true meaning or purpose, depending on the viewer. Depending on your beliefs, it's art or it's an icon...it's an image or it is the subject itself.

Through hundreds of years of history, this type of art, seen through the right eyes, is barely art at all, but more a religious statement...an essential part of faith...even life.

In some way, that's what started the ball rolling. I wanted to create art that was not simply one possibility... I wanted to create art that could be a narrative to each viewer, specific to their background and experience. To create art that isn't simply a pretty picture, but leads to some revelation...To some, the narrative may be foreign...to others, it's a personal investigation. To some the meaning is ever-present...to others, it's a lesson to use for another time. I wanted my work to mean something to people...

but contrary to "marian art", I don't want that message reserved to a single mindset.

That's where I split from the inspiration...where marian art sought to express specific beliefs and teachings, Marion art seeks to spread all art, all avenues of thinking, and knowledge about art and its inspirations...Instead of saying one thing that one group was looking for, I wanted it to address a few possibilities, each of which could be latched onto and pursued...

Marion art takes it's name from a long tradition, but instead of preaching a constant,  it's message opens itself to countless possible interpretations. It's goal is to become something more than just a picture, to express art as an essential, to create art that IS essential...but also to show that art's essential to all...not just those that have always believed.