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Hallelism
This is a new concept of art where the artist must first realize that we humans are made up of spirit, body and soul (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Body, soul and spirit are essential for life, a person is a unity.
Both soul and spirit denote the inner self where thought and intentions are formed; where wisdom and knowledge reside; where faith is wrought.
In the world of art, the three most common foundations of painting are: the visible nature, the scientific ideas, philosophies and the world of imagination; guided by the human soul.
In "Hallelism", the basis is not only of this world or from the imagination, but is is also beyond imagination, in the spiritual realm, guided by the Holy Spirit. The inspiration is there, it cannot be seen or touched but it is there, real and alive for all who have accepted Yeshua Ha Mashiach, Son of God, as their Savior and Lord. Before starting the craft, the artist purifies himself first by asking forgiveness from God; then sings praises and prays unto Him so that the Spirit of God, who is in us will guide our own spirit in the creative process, as written in 1 John 2:27, "But as for you, Yeshua has poured out His Spirit on you". As long as His Spirit remains in us, we do not need anyone to teach us how to work, for His Spirit teaches us about everything and what He teaches is true. Obey the Spirit's teaching then and remain in union with Yeshua in everything, even in painting. The only key to "Hallelism" or any other spiritual art born of the Spirit of God (John 3:3-8)
The artist expects the Spirit of ADONAI YAHUAH to guide his spirit, body and soul. He relise absolutely upon the Spirit of ADONAI YAHUAH (not on his soul), to guide his hands (Isaiah 41:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 33:3). At the same time, he is worshipping the Lord through the act of painting. His brushes, colors and canvas are his instruments. Upon starting the work, the artist must be filled with humility, faith, hope and love. He should not plan the work and must forget about the subject, techniques and style, because by this time the artist will be painting beyond his comprehension. He simply needs to trust the Lord with all his heart and expect God to help him draw a picture (John 15:5, Isaiah 41:13). For even if the artist plans for the painting but if not according to God's will, man's plan will not be executed. The painting process will always be diverted according to God's purpose.
In Hallelism, there is no pre-planning, it's by faith. The process is quick and direct and the brush will move under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is the root of "Infinite Hallelism". In this version of "Hallelism", the form of the painting usually resembles the non-objective abstraction style. If the artist opts to plan the work, he must acknowledge God first (Prov. 3:5-6).
The Lord God always keeps His promises to guide the people who acknowledge Him and reveals more of Himself to His servants through impressions, inspiration or messages (Acts 2:17).
On the first week of January 2002, Pastor Gonzalo Sison, a missionary-pastor friend, called me up and said "The Lord God has send you a message." He told me that during his quiet time, he saw me in a vision, which he took with a grain of salt. However, on the next day, he saw me again in a vision, prompting him to ask, "Lord, do you have a message for Brother William?" Accordingly, the Lord impressed on him, "Tell William that whenever he praises Me as he starts work, let him sing... until I show him a vision of what he is going to paint"
Pastor Gani added, "The King of King will dedicate to you what to do. The first idea of 'Hallelism' was just an introduction. This new idea is the deeper level of 'Hallelism'."
I was so shocked to hear the message, so touched that the Lord Yeshua Ha Mashiach really cares for me and my family. I felt I am not worthy of His love, yet, He cares that much. I realized He has entrusted me with a precious gift and wants me to introduce and develop the concept of "Hallelism" in the world of art. If ADONAI ELOHIM is my art director, then, may His will be done on canvas, not mine. Our God is so creative and in control of His unlimited ideas that could not be enclosed in a single style. Hence, the painting would sometime look like "semi-abstract Hallelism", "cubistic Hallelism", "expressionistic Hallelism", "Fauvisitc Hallelism", "futuristic Hallelism", "surrealistic Hallelism", "constructivistic Hallelism", or the like and beside all things in the universe are spiritual art, because everything is created by the spirit of ELOHIM (God).
One of the latest version of "Hallelism" that I consider the heart of "Hallelism" is the encoding of the Word of God into a painting (which I call "The NEHORAH CODE), that transforms the Word of God into an art form, containing a hidden message to glorify) God. The very essence of "Hallelism" is always beyond line, shape, form, color, technique, style, idea, beauty or art; whether minimal, mediocre or maximal. All descriptions about "Hallelism" are just partial, not absolute, because "Hallelism" is an infinite art that aims to be identified permanently. The essence of "Hallelism" lies not on the superficial appearances of the artwork but on the objective and process of painting. "Hallelism" therefore is not the painting but it is about ADONAI (The Lord) himself. The Grand Master of Hallelism.
"Hallelism" manifests through:
"Hallelism" is a free expression because it is based on the Word of God. The TORAH tells us that "the truth shall set us free" (John 8:32) and since God is the truth and author of wisdom, He will give us wisdom to understand what absolute freedom is. To be absolutely free is to rely on our own limited understanding, but to trust in God's excellent wisdom that will enable us to understand the "what's", the "how's" and the "why's" of both the negative and positive aspects of life.
To illustrate this concept, consider some animals as an example. If we compare the bat's appearance to a dove's, the bat appears so ugly while the dove looks lovely and beautiful to the naked eye. Why is it so? Because man tends to judge by sight and by what it register to the brain. The direct visual impression of the dove's color and form are pleasing to the eye of a human being while the bat's are not.
In God's perspective however, a bat can be as beautiful as a dove. Why? Because His sense of appreciation is higher and deeper than man's. He judges His creation by His heart of LOVE (Genesis 1:21).
The same is true with absolute freedom in art. To be totally free is to let your heart be filled with both wisdom and love in order to absorb both the positive and negative impressions according to God's purpose and Hallelism therefore is beyond the standard of beauty.
The most amazing and wondrous thing in the art of "Hallelism" is that God, the creator of heaven and earth, is our Art Director. If God is our Art Director, He surely will bless anything we do, any style we paint, for He is the source of success (Deuteronomy 28:8, Psalm 75:6-7).
The concept of "Hallelism" is a generic idea that can be applied not just in the arts but in any field of human activity. It is more than a style or art, "Hallelism" is a combination of painting, praising, prayers and worshiping the Lord or creating an artwork in the context of worship.
Our Lord Yeshua Ha Mashiach is the greatest artist of all. "The Great I Am". I thanks Him, love Him whole-heartedly... SPIRIT, BODY and SOUL. Praise ADONAI
William Yu |