Precious few earthlings, from Borneo's Kayans to the Inuits, fail to recognize Nike's omnipresent "swoosh" icon by now. It's a corporate branding dream and only a lofty few can rival it.
What if just a wee portion of the funds and talent poured into reinventing Pepsi's latest multi-million dollar logo tweak were used to artistically promote the church? This isn't just a rhetorical question to a young British illustrator who desires to "Promote the Gospel, evoke Godly conversation and create anointed settings" through his art and design.
As a British Christian, Simon Peter Davis began to seriously seek God's will in his life. His quest began a decade into a career as a professional illustrator, where he did design and ad campaigns with a background in fine art.
In 2008 Davis came across a series of Scriptural revelations that turned him onto a path less traveled. Specifically, he began to see how artistic gifts and talents could work within and for the body of Christ.
TRENDING: To DEI for
"This was a revelation to me," Simon Peter revealed. "I realized that as Christians, we are not meant to pursue what we feel/think we would like to do, but seek out and discover what God has already prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2: 10)."
After he "prayed and repented," the artist was prepared to lay his art down if the Lord had something else in mind for him. Then he waited.
Following Simon Peter's modern version of sacrifice, he was let off the hook (as Abraham was, but far more dramatically). He claimed that God allowed a series of almost supernaturally positive events to confirm his original vocation, but there were also changes.
In 2011, his Christian-themed portfolio "Ascending Artz" was born, using "Art/design/illustration to communicate the Word of God in an interesting and thought provoking way." Since then, Simon Peter's art focuses on faith and beliefs.
He strives to remain true to John 5:19: "...the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." Quite an assignment.
Themes on elevation, ascension and flying appealed to Simon Peter, which he worked into a series, "Stay Lifted." Suspending dancers and athletes mid-flight, cranes or other aerialists effectively defy gravity and the flesh.
Scripture is often embedded in his elegant poster-like designs. In one, what looks to be a Harlem Globetrotter hovers lightly beside Christ's printed command to "leap for joy.... (John 6:23)."
Simon Peter visually "advertises" the Bible via commercial utility and elegant imagery. He describes care taken to create "a seamless blend" between Scripture, the typography/calligraphy and imagery. Obvious influences from pop culture loans them mass appeal.
Some of his bold, graphic pieces have the flavor of comic books. As a teenager in the 1990's, Simon Peter was heavily influenced by American publishers Marvel and DC Comics. Fantasy art, science fiction, manga and even anime are worked into his visions as well. He feels they bring a "supernatural feel" to some of his pieces and the message is pointedly spiritual.
And why shouldn't the church use all at its disposal – every medium, chic trend or technique – for its commission? It worked fabulously for sneakers, and Scripture commands "let everything praise Him."
A resurrected Christ amidst roiling flames emerges from one of his works, overcoming hell, death, matter and everything else. With much movement and stark contrast, it has the look of a graphic novel or extremely elaborate tattoo design. Style is a rather symmetrical Goth/art nouveau fusion, but Simon Peter makes it all work.
Recent work is a little softer, relying more on fine art and traditional drawing techniques. He mentions influence from Da Vinci in his upcoming series "Savior," which is slightly reminiscent of fantasy art with its morphed beings and dense, delicate flora.
Although Bible subjects may seem obvious fare for a believer, they aren't exactly wildly celebrated in the professional art scene. For different reasons, Christian artists may work their entire lives without doing overtly spiritual subjects.
Simon Peter's spiritual sojourn also took on pragmatic qualities, even changing the way he does business. "Prior to this season I had, for the most part, been working for others," he explains, but he began to work as a freelancer after God's vocational redirect.
Art can be a form of worship, Peter Simon claims, as well as "any simple act" by any person can be. He gives the example of a carpet cleaner worshiping through his service, if "attitude and intent of the heart" are right. "I believe we are all capable of doing this when we begin to walk out our callings in Him," he explains.
Now he is an advertising man in a sense, for the kingdom. Striking images proclaim the message, such as one declaring: "The Righteous are as Bold as a Lion." Beneath the verse is a monochromatic, brilliant image of a roaring beast. It hints at reggae as well as street art, with its simple but striking stenciled looks.
General response to his artwork "has been awesome," Simon Peter recalls. Comments from a 2013 exhibition in Birmingham, England were numerous and favorable. Differing ages, nationalities and even religions appreciated his work and he noted that art can also be used as a tool in evangelism.
Recently Simon Peter created rather elaborate Easter art cards that double as a message of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Influenced by Renaissance sketches, his color palette and backgrounds are based on cues from the Bible and refer to several verses. He offers these very reasonably, as his own evangelistic outreach to the world.
"Without taking any of the importance off of preaching," Simon Peter explains, "I believe God wants to do a lot more through the gifts He has placed in His people." (His list includes art, sport, music and dance.) "Being led by the Spirit is paramount," although he adds, "the enemy is also at work and is doing his best to manipulate and pervert."
Simon Peter sums up: "Stewardship of the gift is also very important."
While he was still seeking his life's purpose, the artist came across Romans 11:29: " For God's gifts and calling never change (ISV)." This verse inspired and encouraged him then and still does to this day.
"It became very clear to me that what I had begun was God's leading and call on my life," he realized. "In seeking Him, He revealed [these other things] to me."
Through all the turmoil and troubles in our world, Simon Peter Davis keeps a refreshingly optimistic attitude he shares with us today: "It is a very exciting time to be in the body of Christ."
Simon Peter currently resides in South Stafforshire, England with his wife Sabrina and three children, Jahmelle, Ethan and Elyana. He can be contacted here.