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Artist Luwalhati explores the concept of signs within our life and from God in this painting responding to Isaiah 7:10-16.

Isaiah 7:10-16

The Already and Not yet

By 

Luwalhati .

Credits: 

Curated by: 

Spark+Echo Arts

2022

45 x 55 centimeters

Ink on sculptured paper mounted on antique wood

Mixed Media

Image by Giorgio Trovato

Primary Scripture

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About "The Already and Not Yet"


Whenever we read these verses, we immediately refer to its fulfillment in Jesus that has happened hundreds of years after the “days of Ahaz”. It is the greatest event in history where God finally dwelt among men. As I reread and reflect on this story, I am simply brought to that very moment when Isaiah was speaking to Ahaz, a king who refuses to put his faith in God. I am brought to that time when the prophecy about Immanuel was not yet fulfilled. A time where unrighteousness seemingly prevailed yet an underserved gift was still proclaimed.


Many artists are drawn to abstraction for many reasons, as for me I am drawn to it with a passionate desire to see things differently. To see the move of God in history. To see God’s poetry in creation… And this work is my poetry on paper.


The movement and traces of the ink on sculptured paper may be labeled as an abstraction but it imitates a movement to a series of events that were already fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled. And all of these seem only like a reflection on the water!


Isaiah invites King Ahaz, despite being ungodly, to ask from the Lord your God. Now that we live in this time in history many years after the coming of Jesus, my work humbly invites you to reflect and keep on asking from the Lord your God as you move through the chronos and the kairos.


Immanuel is the sign already given to us thousands of years ago. We carry and announce this same sign until today, and along the way, God continues to communicate in different ways, signs, and wonders to us.


Sign is from the Greek word “ôth”, which means - a distinguishing mark, banner, remembrance, miraculous sign, or warning.


In my work, I use ink that moves freely in water instead of only being controlled by the brush. The moving ink gives unpredictable patterns and textures as it dries. I then sculpt the whole paper to enhance these patterns and textures, which expresses the desire for liberation. This desire is a humble request; an invitation to bring along others to freedom – to join the movement of God’s people. As we move we carry a distinguishing mark (sign - Immanuel) and a unique ink print in our little chapter in history. By the grace of Heaven’s hands, may we be very discerning to navigate in this temporary world. There is a divine drama where all creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the already and not yet.

Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

Luwalhati's paintings interpret and capture the patterns, colors and play of light that nature brings, from the coral reefs of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines to the beautiful snow-covered French Alps, which leads her to see and tell stories of another world that she imagines and longs for. She wants to integrate her background and influence as an interior designer with her passion for fine arts.


Her intuition, observations and studies led her to create her series of semi-abstract and abstract paintings with layers of colors and textures through her personal technique of ink on sculptured paper. This is one aspect of her repertoire but she also creates playful illustrations of fantasy and reality.


Luwalhati recently came back to the Philippines after 8 years of living and working in Paris, France as a missionary artist. Life is now fuller and busier since the artist married the poet. And this particular poet has 3 darling children who lost their previous mom to cancer. So, they are now settled in the beautiful island of Bohol where you can also visit her humble studio that pairs as an airbnb.



Luwalhati .

About the Artist

International Flower Bath

Luwalhati .

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