Artist Joel Schoon-Tanis inspires Council delegates with “Baring Fruit”

By Amy Eckert

Celebrated American artist Joel Schoon-Tanis painted “Baring Fruit” to commemorate the WCRC’s 2017 General Council in Leipzig. The artwork has also found its way into each attendee’s bag, adorning the cover of the Worship Book for the 2017 General Council.

It didn’t take Mr. Schoon-Tanis long to come up with a concept for the piece after being approached by the WCRC. General Council organizers had already determined a theme: Living God, renew and transform us. The artist incorporated that theme with the approaching 500th anniversary of the Reformation and drew inspiration from two Bible passages. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” And Psalm 1 includes the phrase, “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season…”

“So, I asked myself,” said Schoon-Tanis, interpreting his painting, “as Christians, what are we supposed to be about? First there’s the tree, which is planted beside a stream. Then you’ll see beneath the tree someone with a book. We are to read, to study, to be in prayer.”

God’s final charge is that of service, said the artist. In “Baring Fruit” a group of people can be seen picking fruit from the tree. Some pick themselves. Some help steady a harvester’s ladder. Another hands out pieces of fruit to a hungry crowd. Still another spreads fruit heavenward, to God…and who knows where else?

“You can see some of the fruit is just floating out there,” said Schoon-Tanis. “It’s kind of like that in our lives, isn’t it? We try to do good in the world but we just don’t always see what comes of our actions.”

It was important to Schoon-Tanis that the image of the Christian life be an active one.

“We North Americans like this idea of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ” said the artist. “But the fact is, that can be a selfish attitude. A personal relationship is good, but we are called to come together. We are called to bear and share fruit.”

A close observer will also notice the artist’s incorporation of the 2017 General Council logo within the piece. A deconstructed circle made of varying shades of orange forms a portion of the tree’s branches.

“Baring Fruit” has traveled around the world, and not merely within General Council participants’ bags. Framed, high-quality prints of the artwork have been given to Pope Francis and to President Juan Manuel Santos and the leaders of FARC in honor of their efforts to end armed hostilities in Colombia.

Schoon-Tanis is a lifelong member of the Reformed Church in America and has shown his artworks across the U.S. and in Africa. He has also illustrated more than half a dozen children’s books. The artist lives in Holland, Michigan, U.S.A. Learn more about Joel Schoon-Tanis and his art at www.joelschoontanisart.com.