Evangel professor’s artwork selected for magazine cover

May 15, 2008
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, director of public relations and publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292

Springfield, Mo. — Artwork by Michael Buesking, associate professor of art at Evangel University, was selected for the cover of the May-June issue of The Progressive Christian magazine.

The work, called “Adventus” (Arrival), was created in 2005 using oil on linen. It portrays a scene of a man and a flame-like image representing the Holy Spirit, which was adapted from the idea of Pentecost in Acts 2.

“My intent was to suggest the presence of the Holy Spirit and His gifts, and present them as something impossible to contain or hold,” Buesking said.

“One of the goals for my work is to make arresting images that can speak to Christians as well as non-Christians,” Buesking said.

According to Buesking, the human figure in its various attitudes and gestures is important as a conveyer of meaning. His work functions as a sign and symbol on one hand — to be understood and read by the believing community — and, on the other hand, it functions as illustration of an event, mood or idea in a more or less realistic space. In this sense, he demonstrates his desire for the work to also have an appeal to viewers beyond the community of faith.

Buesking joined the faculty at Evangel in 1991, where he teaches oil painting classes and organizes art history instruction. He received his M.F.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

For additional information, contact Michael Buesking at (417) 865-2811 ext. 7281.