The Art of Finding Common Ground
Students across Greenville County participated in our Youth Art Contest for this year’s Faith & Justice Forum. Centered around “finding common ground”, the artists below have been chosen for their incredible representation of this theme.
Brashier Middle College student, Na'Ziah Goodjoine, created “Common Ground As A Collage". In the description below Na'Ziah talks about how her artwork reflects this theme.
Common Ground can be interpreted or perceived in different ways by many people. Personally, my first thought was of something equally shared as I heard the phrase “common ground.” That phrase means a state where something or individuals are all on the same level. As we all have similarities and attributes that need to be fulfilled to sustain in life.
Five common things we need are water, food, air, shelter, and love to survive. I created a collage to represent all of the different needs, coming together as one, despite no individual being the same. As a result, I wanted to form a unity of colors and represent the things we all need. One of my main goals was to include diversity. I felt that including people of different races, ethnicities or backgrounds was important because we all strive to survive, breathe, and maintain no matter how we look on the outside.
The heart is in the center of my piece because we all have a beating heart, bleed red, and deserve equal opportunity to meet our needs. We are all human beings regardless of appearances or societal status. I chose to represent different ages, various careers, and the evolution of life within this collage. Inside the heart, I added a wish list of things that I hope everyone can receive. Fairness, quality health care, respect, safety, access to healthy food, education, freedom of choice, justice, and the right to be understood are a few things listed.
In conclusion, we all have a common ground. Everyone should be morally responsible for the welfare of all of our neighbors. Regardless of our differences, these truths connect to all of us. We should all want to embrace our common ground and treat each other with dignity and respect without fear.
Courtney Gaither created “Bonds”. Below, Courtney talks about how her artwork fits the theme of “finding common ground.”
Reimagining a better world. People of service. Everyone has a role. Fostering hope in those less fortunate.
This piece is called Bonds and is inspired by a Greenville organization called Habitat for Humanity. Their vision of creating a world where everyone can access affordable housing connects to this year’s them of finding common ground.
Finding common ground among the community results in numerous talents coming together to solve everyday challenges and issues. The bonds we build with each other can be used to foster hope among individuals where hope results in creating unlimited possibilities for all mankind.
Paula discusses her artwork below and what is represents:
We face trials and tribulations, always moving, always doing, and always learning. We seem to be working our brains constantly. In today’s society we say things like “push yourself” or “never give up.” While, yes, these affirmations are encouraging, they can also be dangerous.
Never knowing when to stop can quickly lead to burnout and leave someone in a chaotic mental state. This is why I created my painting. It shows that there is beauty in stopping and leaving all worries at the shore—and floating in the water, letting the sun touch the face.
It’s euphoric, peaceful, calm.
Nellie Groseslfinger (NMG) talks about how her work represents finding common ground:
This artwork represents common ground. The cups represent humans from all different backgrounds, cultures, and families pouring out their essences. This symbolizes their opinions, likes, dislikes, and stores flowing into each other. When the two essences in the cups merge, they mix creating a new drink that represents common ground.
It's a colorful and friendly piece to show there is no need to fight or hate each other due to another’s opinion. If we show our differences and try to understand each other, we can work in union and mix with one another. Thus creating something wonderful and learning things we didn’t know before.