I am the Vine
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
About the Vine
Living the art
“The vividness of Baranja’s vineyards has been an everlasting source of Astrid’s inspiration, who with her talent and everyday enthusiasm transfers the visualized scenes on the canvas. The symbol of vine’s endurance has attracted Astrid to express its vigor and power embodied in its captivating form.
Taking advantage of the fascinating figure of the vine she begins her artistic play. Astrid has expressed imagination and diversity in the similar by charging every painting with her vision.
The vine is sufficient by itself to fill the canvas, but it is also a part of the characteristic ambiance of Baranja to which Astrid belongs. It is an expression of her painting confidence with the tension of all painting’s segments. The color flow of the overall impression is of crucial importance.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, her interaction with the beauty is also stimulated by her inclination in choosing the motive that by itself bears the notion of eternal in all its external appearance. But Astrid reveals their essence, it would be said, their soul. The canvas bears the primary mean of expression, an energic layer and ply of the palette knife with the attention to tectonics, layering of the composition as well as highlighting various textures.
Maybe this is the most appropriate moment to reveal the artist’s intention of creating her fullest and most expressive cycle yet and convey Jesus’s message to the world: 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.'“
Branko Pritišanac
Word of the Artist
The exhibition “I am the vine” takes inspiration from this photograph of the vine that my husband Branko took in our backyard. This beautiful vine that sprung above the wire fence undoubtedly reminds me of Jesus and his suffering on the cross.
Moreover, Jesus’ comparison of himself as the vine gives this sight much greater depth and meaning. Inspired by this magnificent scene, “I am the vine” was created
With this exhibition I want to draw attention to the most important thing, and that is the Good News that Jesus, The Creator had sacrificed himself for us so we could have eternal life in Him. Voluntarily He laid his life so that all who believe in Him do not perish, but have eternal life.
I am using this opportunity to thank my husband and family for their support, without which this exhibition would not be possible. I also want to thank Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek who provided us the space for the exhibition, with special thanks to pastor Damir Špoljarić from the Evangelical Pentecostal Church of the Good News for his generous help
Above all I am most grateful to God for giving me this talent and the mission to spread the Good News through my work.
Dear visitor, I wish for you to think about Jesus’ words while looking at these paintings and seek Him personally because He loves you and gave His life to save you, so you can be with Him forever.