Objects of Grace: Conversations on Creativity and Faith by James Romaine

This new book of conversations with some of today's most intriguing artists—Sandra Bowden, Dan Callis, Mary McCleary, John Silvis, Edward Knippers, Erica Downer, Albert Pedulla, Tim Rollins and K.O.S., Joel Sheesley and Makoto Fujimura—focuses on the intersection of Christianity and creativity. In addition to the interviews and full color reproductions, this work also features a discussion with artist Makoto Fujimura, who lives two blocks from Ground Zero, commenting on how September 11th impacted him and the art community. Objects of Grace promises to enrich our understanding of the artistic process and works of art as they offer insights into the creator God.

Sample pages from the book can be found by clicking on the artist's names. We recommend ordering this title through Hearts and Minds. Also available through Barnes and Noble.com orAmazon.com.

"Brand new, this is a glorious, hip, well-produced, insightful and altogether spectacular contribution to the advancement of the Kingdom of God in the field of the arts. It is a uniquely Christian contribution to the art world and I don't think it is an overstatement to term it nearly historic. Objects of Grace has James Romaine (an ultra-cool, young art critic in NYC—a man to watch, it is said) doing interviews with a dozen working artists, who, alongside fabulous full-color plates of their work, talk about what they do. And why. Painters, sculptors, a videographer—each are expertly invited by Mr. Romaine to talk about that which matters most in their work. These energetic conversations illuminate not only these fascinating folk and their faith-filled aesthetic, but show ways to embody one's faith in a concrete career."
—Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Books

"Objects of Grace is the kind of book that I've been waiting twenty years to see. Here is a dynamic young art critic talking to a group of exceptionally talented visual artists about both contemporary art and Christian faith without a shred of self-consciousness or defensiveness. If earlier generations witnessed Christian disengagement from culture, and recent generations have labored to re-engage culture, this book offers us a glimpse of the future—a fully integrated approach to that zone where faith becomes incarnate. James Romaine has wisely chosen to emphasize variety in this book by choosing artists working in a widely differing media and styles, as well as representatives of several age groups. By embracing this diversity, Romaine actually conveys more strongly the underlying unity of faith and vision shared by these artists. To crown this achievement, the book is itself a work of art, lovingly and vividly designed. If church historians and cultural commentators want to find the cutting edge in American religion today, they should look no further than Objects of Grace."
—Greg Wolfe, editor, Image: A Journal of the Arts & Religion

"Outstanding! ... It was nice to get some insights into the work of some artists I know and a few I didn't yet."
—Tyrus Clutter, Director for CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts)

“Objects of Grace is a spendidly illustrated and produced book, containing interviews with ten contemporary American artists. The book may rightly be called a milestone, the final result of a long process in which Christians first came to the realization that art is a gift from God that we may not neglect and next set out to look for ways to employ this gift with integrity in the present time.

The interviewer is James Romaine, a young dynamic art critic from New York. Those being interviewed are ten very different types of artists: from figurative to semi-abstract to conceptual, painters, a sculpter, a graphic designer, and a videographer including such names as Sandra Bowden, Ed Knippers, and Makoto Fujimura. Both the interviewer and the interveiwees show that Christian art is no longer a matter of mumbling in the margins while failing to engage in a true dialogue with the culture at large. Rather they show that they know what is going on, and because of that they are able to take in a place of their own in the cultural choir. In order that they may be, without degeneration into propoganda, a voice of hope and grace.

The interviews focus on the creative process and the role faith plays in it. In this way we are given glimpses of the ideas behind the works of art and how the artists have tried to give shape to these ideas in their work. This enhances our understanding of the various ‘languages’ these artists speak, and makes that we can grow in our comprehension of specific works but also of contemporary art in general. In this way the book offers the Christian community a helping hand not to lag behind their creative fellow believers as to their insight into today's art.”
—Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker, LEV

"We get many books for review at re:generation,but few of them fall out of the package with the sheer visual impact of Objects of Grace.A lavishly illustrated collection of interviews with ten artists,the book juxtaposes their reflections on faith and art with full-color reproductions of their work. As regular readers of re:generation know, James Romaine,our contributing editor for visual arts,has a knack for making unexpected connections,and this book from the tiny upstart publishing house Square Halo Books makes the connections between faith and art both illuminating and inviting."
—The Editors, re:generation

Honest View of Creativity & Faith in Art, September 1, 2003
Objects of Grace reminds us all that art is an important part of the fabric of faith. The breadth of mediums and locales represented by the ten artists interviewed serves as an insightful glimpse at the range of concerns, processes, and mindsets of artists who are engaging not just the church, but the culture at large.

James Romaine spent a good deal of time becoming familiar with each artist's work prior to the interview, particularly evident in questions addressing the artist's influences, pursuits, reviews, and published writings. When paired with full-color reproductions, the artists' articulated answers created an approachable text, making Objects of Grace a rare entry point for the person unacquainted with art world rhetoric. The interviews also uncovered a wealth of reading sources relating to the intersection of creativity and faith.

Objects of Grace belongs in the library of artists and non-artists alike, regardless of faith.
—Customer Review, Amazon.com: Reviewer: Kimberly Garza

" . . . a slamming book, awesome design, and a lot of killer art inside . . . it's a thoroughly rich accomplishment."
—Matthew Monticchio, Composer