Ten Lepers

Thought provoking elegance, grace and beauty are the hallmarks of a James Christensen work of art, and Ten Lepers is a masterclass in story-telling design. James’ work often focused on taking a moment to pause and reflect on the myriad of miracles that occur around us on a daily basis. Here he happens to use one of Christ’s more recognized miracles to make the same point.
Everything in the painting leads us to the single leper at the moment he truly grasps what has occurred. The background is not monochromatic but progresses from light to dark - left to right - in the same way we in the western world are taught to read, and therefore, observe.
The clothing on the mass of nine lepers serves multiple purposes. Their tattered wrappings suggest what was, until this moment, their illness. Their euphoric chaos not only contradicts the serenity of the lone leper, but also contains numerous directionals driving your eye to the right.
Then, James slams on the brakes.
There is no movement in the tenth leper. He is lighter than the others against the darker background. His clothes hang vertical and static. This peace is easier on our eye than chaos. Our eye rests there. His hands and face are lightest of all. Tassels on his turban and the other lepers point to his hands. His fingers on his hands are spread wide in discovery, his eyes glance off the canvas towards the source of the miracle that has occurred.
James’ message is clear - Take a moment from our fast-paced world to reflect and show gratitude for all you have to be thankful for.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, were not there ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 17:15-19

James Christensen's Ten Lepers is a thought-provoking masterpiece, narrating the gratitude of one healed leper amidst the chaos of nine others, symbolizing the importance of reflection and gratitude. Through elegant storytelling and meticulous design, Christensen invites viewers to pause and contemplate the miracles surrounding them, delivering a powerful message of faith and appreciation, as inspired by the biblical account in Luke 17:15-19

James C. Christensen 1942-2017.

The range of Christensen's subject matter and style are testament to the artist's imagination, creativity and understanding of art history. His drive to connect with the world weaves through his work like a ribbon, over mermaids, under saints, and around hunchbacks. Christensen has created a rich and strangely familiar world that will take a lifetime to explore.  His art is found in prized collections through out the world.

Born in 1942 and raised in Culver City, California. He studied painting at Brigham Young University as well as the University of California at Los Angeles before finishing his formal education at BYU.

His honors and awards include being named a "Utah Art Treasure" as well as one of Utah’s Top 100 Artists by the Springville Museum of Art and receiving the Governor’s Award for Art from the Utah Arts Council. He had won all the professional art honors given by the World Science Fiction Convention as well as multiple Chesley Awards from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

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