NJ Artist Christina Saj Creates Contemporary Art for Chapel at New...

om 11am to 1pm.

New Brunswick, NJ April 14, 2008 -- New Brunswick Theological Seminary is pleased to present "SIX DAYS OF CREATION" an exhibition of paintings by Christina Saj. This exhibition is located in situ at the Seminary Chapel on their New Jersey campus adjacent to the Rutgers University. The works, inspired by Genesis, are six 52" X 100" panels depicting the six days of creation. The series was conceived specifically for installation in the chapel, a modern, 50's vintage, circular worship space, spartan in it's d� with seating that is moveable and conforms to the needs of the community using it. Outside seminary worship, the space is utilized on Sundays by nonresident congregations. The show is augmented by the inclusion of a number of Saj's other works inspired by icons, such as Transfiguration, a five foot rendering of a silver cross which dominates the Lobby outside the chapel.

"Six Days of Creation" illuminates the Seminary Chapel. Saj is the current artist in residence at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The appointment of artists in residence enriches the community.Saj, a practicing artist with an established record who will present programs and/or workshops throughout the year for the purpose of helping students think about, experience, and experiment with an artistic practice in the context of ministry and especially to the worship life of the church. Saj is also teaching a workshop about sacred space this semester. Her exhibition will run thru the end of May.

Saj's work instantly betrays a fascination with color and though not narrative in the traditional sense, it employs recognizable forms interlaced with rich surfaces of pattern and color. Her paintings attempt to dazzle and engage the viewer with their subject. For those versed in scripture, they have even more resonance. "Her style reflects both aspects of her training -a use of abstract form and colour which draws on the heritage of early twentieth-century modern art, and the use of some of the forms, conventions and themes in icon painting. This combination is startling. Saj's great achievement is to create a kind of synthesis between these traditions, rather than simply borrow motifs or techniques of each." - writes, Rachel Nicholls, in her recent book "Walking on Water" (http://www.brill.nl/default.aspxpartid=18&pid=27707) which includes analysis of Saj's work specifically in relation to scripture. [Nicholl's writes "She has creatively combined two spiritual artistic traditions and through them expressed a Christian narrative in a way in which is neither kitsch pastiche nor nostalgic reference but a 'meant' religious symbol. It is an intriguing postmodern achievement that has broken the bounds of each tradition (an abstract painting with a figure in it, an icon without a face) yet preserved and combined something of the heart of them."

Christina Saj is a painter who lives and works in NJ. She holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence and an MFA from Bard College. Early in her career, she mastered the technique of Byzantine Icon painting. Her contemporary interpretations of icons have been widely exhibited including such venues as the American Bible Society, Union Theological Seminary, The Ukrainian Museum in New York, Museum of Cultural Heritage, Kiev Ukraine, the American Embassy in Qatar as well as at the White House. Her works reside in private and museum collections in the US and abroad. More of her work can be seen at christina Saj (http://www.christinasaj.com).

New Brunswick Theological Seminary was the first seminary in North America having been founded in 1784. It is a teaching institution of the Reformed Church in America, and called by God to be a servant of the whole church of Jesus Christ. The seminary is still first in many areas: it represents the diversity of the church and world today having students from differing ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Its students represent denominational, ethnic, and gender diversity as each prepares for ministry within an ecumenical environment. The graduate leaves better prepared to translate their calling and gifts into faithful Christian ministry within diverse world.

The majority of students are mid-career and attend classes part time, more than half are people of color, and more than half are women. Baptist, Reformed and Presbyterian, African Methodist Episcopal, Pentecostal, and non-denominational students comprise the majority of the student. The Seminary has a commitment to urban ministry in a pluralistic world. Students come to their seminary training as fully formed adults, bearing gifts of significant experience and training in medicine, law, criminal justice, education, finance, administration, politics, and other disciplines. For more information visit New Brunswick Theological Seminary}.

There will be a reception for the artist Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 11am to 1pm.

Images available for download on http://www.christinasaj.com/press.htm

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