Ars Gratia Dei
Art for God’s Sake
The symbolism in Professor of Art Laura Lasworth’s paintings comes by an unorthodox approach: listening to God.
Lasworth is a Benedictine Catholic oblate. Every day, she practices the ancient art of Lectio Divina, or “holy reading.” “It’s a way of being attentive to Christ,” she says. The practice includes reading aloud a passage in Scripture multiple times, and focusing in on words or phrases.
“In that process imagery comes to me,” she says. “Scripture comes to life.” Images of birds, measuring cups, or trees are translated onto canvas. Lasworth’s most recent collection, “The Western Wall,” was on display in Santa Monica in February and March. The Los Angeles Times named the exhibition their Critic’s Choice three weeks in a row, calling the paintings “ravishingly beautiful.”
Freshman Honnah Weber used to believe that beauty was the ultimate purpose of art, until she took a class from Lasworth. “In Color Theory, my eyes were opened to a deeper commission,” she says. “Art has an eternal purpose beyond just looking good.”
Honnah spent hours working on paintings for the class, learning how to incorporate symbolism into her own artwork. For one of her final projects, Honnah painted a house that had fish spilling out of the front door. “I wanted it to symbolize that we’re the temple of God. We’re filled with Jesus,” she says. Honnah began Winter Quarter wondering whether she wanted to major in art, and now she feels a definite pull. “Through Dr. Lasworth, I’ve gained a great passion for the ministry of art.”
Did You Know? A Benedictine oblate is a lay person who's formally associated with a particular monastery. The oblate takes a vow to live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, which includes a contemplation, reading, and prayer.
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