We Choose to Know

This piece was commissioned by the Council for World Mission In preparation for the General Assembly in June 2020, based on the assembly theme 'Rising to Life with Jesus'. The theme outlines CWM's belief that communities of God's people can live as seeds and signs of Christ's life in the midst of a death dealing and an ever-destructive world.
My thinking and response to the theme grew as the world became aware of the Novel Coronavirus, Covid-19. I began by working in blues and greens, deliberately taking the two colours, which together, represent what is known as the ‘blue/green’ effect. This is the sense of calm when experiencing both colours, tying up water and green plant growth, reminiscent of our ancient ancestors who rested by water at the end of a day. I wanted to show the calm being disturbed, almost tumultuous. By the time I’d stopped the blue green swirls, I knew that the conference would not be held, but that I should keep painting.
The people then appeared in my typical non-human colours. They spoke and chose to be red, the Asian colour for good luck, joy, prosperity, auspiciousness, the western liturgical colour for Pentecost, the secular colour of energy or danger. It’s a strong colour, fitting here for strong people. Many have halos, a traditional image for saints. These people group and spread apart, courageously walking into the riotous blue green, knowing the chaos around them, moving confidently as saints in dangerous times. They choose to do this. Where many might hide, protect, isolate, they have risen to new life and as a group, say to us, ‘we choose to know.’

We Choose to Know
Elizabeth Gray-King 2020

Please contact me if you would like prints. The following formats are available. All prints on paper are sold on ivory mounting board. Frames may be ordered. Prints on canvas are stretched on wood.

Art Prints: Art Prints are created with laser printers onto quality wood pulp art paper.

Gallery Poster: Gallery Poster is a typical art gallery format with laser printer on poster paper, supplied rolled in a tube.

Giclee Prints: Giclee Prints are inkjet sprayed onto quality cotton rag paper. They’re known for their vibrant colours, fine details, and archival quality. The term "giclee" comes from the French word meaning "to spray," referring to the precise inkjet spraying process used in their production. They’re guaranteed to last at least 100 years (though no one’s been alive long enough since development to know…)

Embellished Giclee Prints: Embellished Giclee Prints are customised by me adding details, textures, or hand-drawn elements to make each cotton paper print unique. The result is a print that combines the advantages of digital printing with a personal touch.

Giclee Prints on Canvas: Giclee Prints are inkjet sprayed onto artist canvas material. This gives the print a texture and appearance similar to a traditional painting on canvas so that they resemble original paintings.

Embellished Giclee Prints on Canvas: Embellished Giclee Prints on Canvas are customised by me adding details, textures, or hand-painted elements to make each print unique. Embellishments added on top of canvas give the print a more three-dimensional painterly effect.