Sculptures by Winston Pike
Welcome to Winston Pike Art. com. I am a sculptor and painter, creating a wide range of pieces over the decades. Like Matisse, I desire that my work inspire and comfort, as well as intellectually challenge. Also, like the great Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, I am both an artist and social activist. Rivera said when social need arises, the artist should put away his brush and lend himself to the righting of injustice.
Social and Aesthetic Objective
Rivera rallied to promote communism.
I rally to promote Christian family values, opposing any conscious hurtfulness of one person against another.
With such an objective I created “Repentance”, (shown above). I intended that every part of it’s pose, facial expression, and especially the falling gun, should connote deep and sincere repentance toward God- the moral transformation through Christ which suppresses the animal instinct we are all born with: the impulse to hit and hit back. This is the primary cause of bitterness and war. Visit "Repentance" page (click here) for a full explanation of this sculpture’s unique and versatile potential.
Making My Sculptures Relevant to the Church
Unlike Roman Catholicism, Protestantism has historically steered away from teaching via sculptural images- preferring Biblical instruction. Yet I believe sculpture can be powerfully used by evangelical megachurches to project Christian family values and the gospel in a way that is fresh and unexpected.
The way I am making this possible is to attach a laser- cut stainless steel cross to the back of the base of a bronze sculpture that is full of humanity. I desire to show that if a person is “in Christ” through repentance and consecration to Him, then, whatever wholesome activity they are involved in is sanctified by their Creator. Scripture is full of promises that if the believer does all things, no matter how common, “as unto the Lord”, ( Acts17:28 ) then Christ will in turn overshadow that person with spiritual safety and blessing.
The Apostle Paul said it adroitly: “In Him we live and move and have our being.”
(Acts 17:28)
Role of Explanatory Statement in Display
Each sculptural display is accompanied by a statement about how I, as an artist, feel about the message my sculpture projects. This statement can be made into a bronze plaque, ( available online), or simply as a framed statement on the wall.
I cannot control, or, in most cases forbid, the church which buys a sculpture from altering or putting up their own explanatory statement. However, my experience is that people are highly interested in what motivates me to give form to an idea.
Understanding “In Christ” Sculpture Installations
One of the strongest movements in modern art since the 70s is “installation art”. In a myriad of ways it has explored the possibilities of creating visual spectacles and experiments, sometimes within environments one might not expect “avant-garde” art to inhabit.
Yet this is exactly what I propose for my “in Christ” sculpture installations for megachurches.
To make this happen Churches must set aside a space, preferably in the foyer, free from visual competition. A red rectangle, symbolizing the blood of Christ, is painted on a white wall behind the bronze and stainless sculpture, mounted on a white plywood stand which the church has made. The red backdrop can also consist of luxurious red fabric, available from a fabric shop. It can be hung from a horizontal bead of superglue. This crimson backdrop thus helps create a sacred place within a Megachurch- a place of Biblical balance. It says the believer is saved entirely by the grace of Christ, ( the book of Romans), but is justified by trusting and obeying Him to the best of their ability. (The book of James).
Prints of “In Christ” Images Available
But there is more that, not just Megachurches, but any church can do to edify their congregations through my sculptures. I have included in this website a photo gallery of my installation images. The world’s largest provider of art prints and posters, “Fine Art America” will make you a copy of any of these images in any size. If your church cannot afford an actual bronze and stainless display, for as little as $20 you can begin to fill the hallways and classrooms with my Christ- glorifying, comforting images. (Link to photo gallery/ordering info.)
The purpose of such pictures, just as much as actual sculptures, is to teach and edify. For this reason even the smallest churches who make prints of my images should accompany them with another framed picture copying the explanatory text on this website that goes with the sculpture.
