First and Last name: Sujatha Balasundaram
Image Title: Chosen
Original Artwork Size: 8.5″ x 11″
Medium: Pen and Ink drawings using Madhubani folk art style
Statement:
Chosen is drawing in Madhubani folk art style. It depicts the “chosen” woman as the bride being carried in a palanquin. She is the woman who chooses to be the bride. She is the one chosen among all others. She is set apart.
The decorative palanquin doors represent waves and evoke the remembrance of the miracle of parting the waters at the Red Sea. In Exodus, God chooses to save and deliver the Hebrew people from slavery. He chooses to show the world His might acts through His relationship with them, His chosen ones. One of the ways He shows His power is by parting the waters before the Hebrews as the Eqyptians come chasing behind them. God makes a way where there seems to be no way for the Israelites to walk safely to the other side. This theme is accentuated by the water puddles with fish on the lower two sides of the drawing. God led, saved, and delivered His chosen people through the parted Red Sea, leading them away from the oppressive Egyptian rulers (Exodus). God protected His people from the charging rebellious armies that pursued the weary and yet obedient people of God. So also, God continues to lead and protect His bride to eternal life (John 3, Isaiah 49.)
In the background, you see the leaves of the Tree of Life. This tree was heavily guarded in the garden of Eaden (Genesis) after the Fall. Having eaten the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, God would not have His people eat the fruit of the Tree of Life and live forever separated from Him. However, in the book of Revelation, God serves the fruit from the same tree at the heavenly banquet to all who are faithful (Revelation.)
Peacocks symbolize fertility and loyalty in Indian culture. God desires for us, His chosen ones, to remember Him and be faithful to Him so that all peoples of the earth will know His mighty hand and His love for His people. But God’s chosen ones trust what God gives rather than God Himself (Ezekiel 16). God yearns for His people to call on His name and be faithful to Him as His chosen bride.
This artwork was submitted for an online exhibition conducted by the HPC Artist Collective, His Providence Church, 262 Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea, MA 02777, https://www.hpc.church/ in July 2023. Later that year, a video of all the selected submissions was sent to the Breakwater Festival in Mannheim, Germany.