Integral Expressionism Art is the term I give to my latest work since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. I borrow the concept “Integral” (essential to the whole) from Pope Francis‘s Encyclical “Laudato Si ” published in 2015.
In 1987 and for approximately five years, I was a member of the Catholic COR organization, Justicia y Paz. As the only lay member of the group, I witnessed the deep concerns of the priests and nuns involved in the problems caused by Environmental damage by private investors and developers.
These problems led me to realize that these were also a global problem, and that as the only artist in the group, I would take time off to paint an image expressing our concerns, not only as an island in the Caribbean Sea, but as a planet in the Endless Sea of space.
This Painting, “On Earth as it is in Heaven,” changed the trajectory of my work and my life’s concern.
When the COVID-19 pandemic locked us down in 2020, I carved a slab of wood with the images of Adam and Eve, standing in for ourselves in this, our own Garden Moment, expressing that the pandemic was a sign of the future if we did not change our ways and live in harmony with nature.
Eve and Adam (high relief woodcarving, 19 x 44 x 3 inches)
The trajectory of my work was solidified. I then painted approximately 15 paintings on canvas. Works that highlight our dependence on fossil fuels and the resulting vulnerability of our planet’s future.
Should this artwork generate controversy, it may play a significant role in fostering a healthy and sustainable future for both current and forthcoming generations.
Expresionismo Integral es el término que le doy a mi obra más reciente desde la pandemia de COVID-19 de 2020. Tomé prestado el concepto “integral” (esencial para el todo) de la encíclica “Laudato Si” del Papa Francisco, publicada en 2015.
En 1987, y durante aproximadamente cinco años, fui miembro de la organización católica COR, Justicia y Paz. Como único miembro laico del grupo, presencié la profunda preocupación de los sacerdotes y monjas involucrados en los problemas causados por el daño ambiental causado por inversionistas y promotores privados.
Estos problemas me llevaron a darme cuenta de que también eran un problema global y que, como único artista del grupo, me tomaría un tiempo para pintar una imagen que expresara nuestras preocupaciones, no solo como una isla en el Mar Caribe, sino como un planeta en el Mar Infinito del espacio.
Este cuadro, “En la Tierra como en el Cielo”, cambió la trayectoria de mi trabajo y la preocupación de mi vida.
Cuando la pandemia de COVID-19 nos confinó en 2020, tallé una losa de madera con las imágenes de Adán y Eva, representándonos a nosotros mismos en este, nuestro propio Momento de Jardín, expresando que la pandemia era una señal del futuro si no cambiábamos nuestras costumbres y vivíamos en armonía con la naturaleza.
La trayectoria de mi obra se consolidó. Luego pinté aproximadamente 15 cuadros sobre lienzo. Obras que resaltan nuestra dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y la consiguiente vulnerabilidad del futuro de nuestro planeta.
Si estas obras de arte generan controversia, pueden desempeñar un papel importante en el fomento de un futuro saludable y sostenible para las generaciones actuales y futuras.
In celebration of Earth Day 2023, Artist A. Vonn Hartung unveiled his latest art exhibit,
“LAUDATO SI –
Care for our Common Home,”
(Bilingual text English-Spanish)
Laudato Si Art Exhibit
In celebration of Earth Day, artist A.Vonn Hartung unveiled his Laudato Si Art Exhibit, “Expressions of Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Climate Change: LAUDATO SI – Care for our Common Home,” at San Ignacio Church in San Juan, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Featuring eight major works, Hartung’s exhibit aimed to capture the essence and spirit of Pope Francis’s encyclical, which calls for global attention to the urgent need for environmental stewardship and climate action. The visually stunning and thought-provoking artworks served as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and one another.
Para celebrar el Día de la Tierra, el artista A. Vonn Hartung inauguró su exposición de arte Laudato Si, “Expresiones de la encíclica del Papa Francisco sobre el cambio climático: LAUDATO SI – Cuidado de nuestra casa común”, en la Iglesia San Ignacio en San Juan, el sábado 22 de abril de 2023. Con ocho obras principales, la exposición de Hartung buscó capturar la esencia y el espíritu de la encíclica del Papa Francisco, que llama a la atención mundial sobre la urgente necesidad de gestión ambiental y acción climática. Las obras, visualmente impactantes y sugerentes, sirvieron como un conmovedor recordatorio de nuestra responsabilidad compartida de cuidar nuestro planeta y a los demás.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from the artist, A. Vonn Hartung, as he discussed the inspiration and creative process behind his works. The event was an enlightening and inspiring experience for all attendees, as well as an opportunity to reflect on the crucial role we all play in protecting “our common home.”
Los asistentes tuvieron la oportunidad de escuchar al artista A. Vonn Hartung, quien habló sobre la inspiración y el proceso creativo de sus obras. El evento fue una experiencia esclarecedora e inspiradora para todos los asistentes, así como una oportunidad para reflexionar sobre el papel crucial que todos desempeñamos en la protección de “nuestra casa común”.
The centerpiece, “Thy will be done,” painted in 1992, has been exhibited in many churches in the metro area. It asks the viewer—
Which future, in harmony with God or disharmony, shall we live? The carving Eve and Adam began with the COVID pandemic and led to the other paintings, all of which express aspects of Climate Change.
La pieza central, “Hágase tu voluntad”, pintada en 1992, se ha exhibido en muchas iglesias del área metropolitana. Le pregunta al espectador: ¿Qué futuro, en armonía con Dios o en desarmonía, viviremos? La talla de Eva y Adán comenzó con la pandemia de COVID y dio lugar a las otras pinturas, todas las cuales expresan aspectos del cambio climático.
Thy Will be Done
Taken from our Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:10), the title is rhetorical—it asks which future, shown in the painting, do we want for ourselves and our children’s future? With God’s Sacred Creation in Harmony, and Health? Or in our dysfunctional, chaotic, Dystopia? God gave us free will, so the choice is ours. Let us repent and change our ways. This painting was the centerpiece of my Laudato Si Art Exhibit.
Tomado del Padre Nuestro (Mateo 6:10), el título es retórico: pregunta qué futuro, mostrado en la pintura, queremos para nosotros y para nuestros hijos: ¿con la Sagrada Creación de Dios en armonía y salud? ¿O en nuestra distopía disfuncional y caótica? Dios nos dio libre albedrío, así que la decisión es nuestra. Arrepintámonos y cambiemos nuestro comportamiento. Esta pintura fue la pieza central de mi exposición de arte Laudato Si.
With the Global Pandemic, I felt we were in a Garden of Eden Moment in Time, and I felt compelled to create a carving. And I knew it would need to be a carving that would speak to the Pandemic, but also that which I believe brought on the Pandemic—an imbalance in the mode in which we live with Nature, the destruction of the cosmos! Impending climate collapse! Thinking of the Future, Mothers and children came to mind. Hence, the title “Eve and Adam” expresses the wisdom of Human Love over Material Profit. The Question is, are we—the Human Species—continuing to cause this imbalance, and if so, can we correct it? This Question is the essence of the message of the carving.
Con la pandemia mundial, sentí que estábamos en un momento del Jardín del Edén y me sentí obligado a crear una talla. Y sabía que tendría que ser una talla que hablara de la pandemia, pero también de aquello que creo que provocó la pandemia: un desequilibrio en el modo en que vivimos con la naturaleza, ¡la destrucción del cosmos! ¡Un colapso climático inminente! Pensando en el futuro, me vinieron a la mente madres e hijos. Por lo tanto, el título “Eva y Adán” expresa la sabiduría del amor humano por encima del beneficio material. La pregunta es: ¿seguimos nosotros, la especie humana, causando este desequilibrio? Y, de ser así, ¿podemos corregirlo? Esta pregunta es la esencia del mensaje de la talla.
Eve and Adam (closeup detail)
We see our modern-day Adam pondering this question, which is portrayed as a temptation, recalling the original story of the Garden of Eden. To answer this, the parable of the Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit speaks to us here and now as we find ourselves in A Garden Moment. God, we pray— help us to be Wise!
Vemos a nuestro Adán moderno reflexionando sobre esta pregunta, que se presenta como una tentación, recordando la historia original del Jardín del Edén. Para responder a esto, la parábola del Jardín del Edén y el fruto prohibido nos habla aquí y ahora, mientras nos encontramos en un Momento del Jardín. Dios, te rogamos: ¡ayúdanos a ser sabios!
We learn from the example of the rich man Zacchaeus, who amassed wealth through questionable means, and was welcomed by Jesus as a sign of redemption. Zacchaeus in the painting, as in the Bible (Lk 19:1-10), is a sinner of ill-gotten wealth. He knows his guilt, but also wants to know Jesus. So he climbs a tree to see Jesus, but at a safe distance. But Jesus knows him and calls him to come down, forgives him, and Zacchaeus changes his LIFE and is SAVED.
Aprendemos del ejemplo del hombre rico Zaqueo, quien amasó riqueza por medios cuestionables y fue acogido por Jesús como señal de redención. Zaqueo en la pintura, como en la Biblia (Lc 19:1-10), es un pecador de riqueza mal habida. Él conoce su culpa, pero también quiere conocer a Jesús. Así que sube a un árbol para ver a Jesús, pero a una distancia segura. Pero Jesús lo conoce y lo llama a bajar, lo perdona y Zaqueo cambia su VIDA y es SALVO.
Fishers of Men (Matthew 4:19) are First Responders. They are the heroes that show up first when there’s a tragedy, where people are in danger of losing their lives or losing their souls. They are not only firemen, policemen, and soldiers, but also you and me who help make a better world. They, with great Humility, are our Priests and Nuns who, with the Saints, save Souls, hear our confessions, lead our communities in Faith, settle differences between us, and face with us the dangers and solutions to climate change. God Bless Them All!
Los Pescadores de Hombres (Mateo 4:19) son los Socorristas. Son los héroes que aparecen primero cuando hay una tragedia, donde las personas están en peligro de perder la vida o perder el alma. No son sólo bomberos, policías y soldados, sino también tú y yo quienes contribuimos a construir un mundo mejor. Ellos, con gran Humildad, son nuestros Sacerdotes y Monjas quienes, con los Santos, salvan Almas, escuchan nuestras confesiones, guían nuestras comunidades en la Fe, resuelven diferencias entre nosotros y enfrentan con nosotros los peligros y las soluciones al cambio climático. ¡Que Dios los bendiga a todos!
The Three Magi who brought gifts to our Lord and Savior, baby Jesus, now as Angels return and bring us their second greatest gift, shown in the mirrors they hold—the Reality that we are One Integral piece of the Living Cosmic Puzzle we call Earth, “Our Common Home.” God created Earth for all his creation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” Earth is ours to live in and to share. It is not ours to trash! In Christ we pray.
Los Tres Reyes Magos que trajeron regalos a nuestro Señor y Salvador, el niño Jesús, ahora, como ángeles, regresan y nos traen su segundo mayor regalo, reflejado en los espejos que sostienen: la Realidad de que somos una pieza integral del Rompecabezas Cósmico Viviente que llamamos Tierra, “Nuestro Hogar Común”. Dios creó la Tierra para toda su creación. “Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito”. La Tierra es nuestra para vivir en ella y compartirla. ¡No es nuestra para desperdiciarla! En Cristo oramos.
The painting Wounded Dove is a visible metaphor showing how we are damaging “Our Common Home,” Planet Earth. The most sacred, precious, and delicate of all our symbols is the Dove. Here we see her wounded, bleeding, crippled in her nest. Her Mate tends to her, as indigenous people look on with compassion, for they know what it is to be wounded. In the background and all around, we see how we are abusing God’s Sacred Creation. Lord, help us to heal Your Gift of Earth, “Our Common Home.”
La pintura Paloma Herida es una metáfora visible que muestra cómo estamos dañando “Nuestra Casa Común“, el Planeta Tierra. El más sagrado, precioso y delicado de todos nuestros símbolos es la Paloma. Aquí la vemos herida, sangrando, lisiada en su nido. Su compañero la atiende, mientras los indígenas la miran con compasión, porque saben lo que es estar herido. Al fondo y a nuestro alrededor, vemos cómo estamos abusando de la Sagrada Creación de Dios. Señor, ayúdanos a sanar tu don de la Tierra, “Nuestra Casa Común”.
The painting “The Melting North” expresses the reality and denial of what we know, as well as the reality of how we suppress our needed reaction as glaciers melt. We, like the characters in the painting, tend to want to be on the cruise ship, observing but moving away from the reality of the melting north. In God we pray for the faith and the courage to act. How is it that we can love and feel the Suffering of People and vulnerable lives so far away? It is because God has linked us all together like the embrace of a Beautiful Flowering Vine, and that we are All Linked in His Sacred Creation, so that what we do for others or do to others we also do to ourselves. We pray for the awakening of our consciousness to the realities that we face and the love that binds God’s creation together. We pray!
La pintura “El Norte Derritiéndose” expresa la realidad y la negación de lo que sabemos, así como la realidad de cómo suprimimos nuestra reacción necesaria ante el derretimiento de los glaciares. Nosotros, al igual que los personajes de la pintura, tendemos a querer estar en el crucero, observando pero alejándonos de la realidad del derretimiento del norte. En Dios, oramos por la fe y la valentía para actuar. ¿Cómo es que podemos amar y sentir el sufrimiento de personas y vidas vulnerables tan lejos? Es porque Dios nos ha unido a todos como el abrazo de una Hermosa Vid Floreciente, y que Todos Estamos Vinculados en Su Sagrada Creación, de modo que lo que hacemos por los demás o les hacemos a otros también nos lo hacemos a nosotros mismos. Oramos por el despertar de nuestra conciencia a las realidades que enfrentamos y por el amor que une a la creación de Dios. ¡Oramos!
The Laudato Si’ Art Exhibit included the painting “Climate Refugees,” which depicts refugees leaving their homeland after it has been destroyed. Exhausted, wounded, searching simply for a place to live. Behind them are the endless galaxies of Infinite Space with the Pillars of Creation known to us by the NASA Hubble telescope. In the mid-ground, the eroding rocks look sympathetic, although decrepit, due to a dissolving world. There is Hope, however, as leading the way amongst the goats is the “Lamb of God” bringing them out of Climate Collapse and into a healthy and sustainable future. Christ help us.
La exposición de arte Laudato Si’ incluyó la pintura “Refugiados climáticos”, que representa a los refugiados que abandonan su patria tras su destrucción. Agotados, heridos, buscando simplemente un lugar donde vivir. Detrás de ellos están las infinitas galaxias del Espacio Infinito con los Pilares de la creación que conocemos por el telescopio Hubble de la NASA. En el plano medio, las rocas erosionadas parecen simpáticas, aunque decrépitas, debido a un mundo que se disuelve. Sin embargo, hay esperanza, ya que a la cabeza de las cabras se encuentra el “Cordero de Dios”, que las saca del colapso climático y las lleva a un futuro saludable y sostenible. Cristo ayúdanos.
I dedicate this painting and poem, “Deviled Eggs”, in memory of all the brave souls who have died sacrificing their lives for a better world.
As part of my series “Cry of Creation,” this work focuses and shines a light on the existential and spiritual threat we face as humanity confronts our own extraordinary power to tip the climate into an imbalance that threatens the future of the world as we know it. We are all important and all uniquely indispensable! Yes—You and Me!
For the love of money is the root of all evil… (1 Timothy 6:10)
Some prioritize financial gain over the health of our planet and its people. They understand they are creating a dystopian imbalance in nature, and yet if we do not change their thinking on this dynamic, we will succumb to this biblical truth.
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Dedico esta pintura y poema, “Deviled Eggs”, a la memoria de todas las almas valientes que han muerto sacrificando sus vidas por un mundo mejor.
Como parte de mi serie “Grito de Creación“, esta obra se centra y arroja luz sobre la amenaza existencial y espiritual que enfrentamos a medida que la humanidad confronta su propio y extraordinario poder para desestabilizar el clima y amenazar el futuro del mundo tal como lo conocemos. ¡Todos somos importantes y todos singularmente indispensables! ¡Sí! ¡Tú y yo!
Porque el amor al dinero es la raíz de toda clase de males (1 Timoteo 6:10)
Algunos priorizan las ganancias económicas sobre la salud de nuestro planeta y su gente. Entienden que están creando un desequilibrio distópico en la naturaleza, y sin embargo, si no cambiamos su manera de pensar sobre esta dinámica, sucumbiremos a esta verdad bíblica.
The truth IS, God gathers, the devil scatters!
La verdad ES, Dios recoge, el diablo dispersa!
Deviled Eggs
Mammon (Devil of Greed) would deceive us saying— “We’re entitled! All on Earth is ours for the taking!” then turn and make our world an Omelet of Deviled Eggs!
From the spoils of our addiction, to profits quarterly earned, is spun the myth of Utopia! While Greed clear-cuts timber, and ancient forests burn
Priceless black blood lies in the womb of our Sacred Earth. The Blood of Dinosaurs and giant Ferns. As we—Sucking-up on it like Mother’s Milk— We as Combustion Burn!
The myth of endless growth slurps up— “me thinks” the broth of Sacred Life, eons ago gone Extinct.
Yet we reward extravagantly reckless greed. We make no shame, but tribute pay, to those who would pay-out our future lives away. To what extent and how far down are we drilling and willing to ignore, the council of our Wisdom that makes up Freedom’s Core.
What has blinded our good sense? That binds us to our folly. knowing it will be at our future world’s expense.
What has hobbled our humility and morphed it into Pride? Who has turned us off our path and broken up our stride?
We sing and shout the chant of Mammon “If I can buy it, it’s mine! If I can do it, I will!
Oh Stupid! Oh, Self-Deceived Fallen One We follow! Down our hole we Go?
No! Let us ransom our Earthly Mother— from out the skillet—set her free! So she can spin and twirl in dance, Blue Mother Dancing Free!
Lord God has let us ride through this our space and time, a ride given to us FREE. It’s where Earth has always been for us and where She always wants to be.
I dedicate this Painting and Poem to all First Responders.
All people who are suffering
or Acting to live in Balance with our Climate,
who strive for the good of others
and Future Generations…
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Dedico esta pintura y poema a todos los socorristas. A todas las personas que sufren o que actúan para vivir en equilibrio con nuestro clima, que luchan por el bien de los demás y de las generaciones futuras…
Fishers of Men
Fishers of Men go out further than any boat can know. They sail over the shoals and rocks, where no others dare to go!
They fish with nets of Mercy in seas and oceans drag, for those who’ve lost their footing and off the decks were dragged.
They troll in lakes of poison, in rivers clogged with slime to pull aboard the wretched that Sin has rendered blind. They scoop up the fragile and their kind, that hold fast to the line of flotsam and jetsam that hope has left behind!
They surf the tides of turmoil and teach no fear of death. They rise in swells of innocence until clear knowing builds and crests.
Fishers of men, fish for Souls, Souls that lose their way, those who’ve sunk below the pale, who in the deep of muck and dark, in the bottom lay.
Fishers of Men are Saviors! Compassion, Love, and Mercy are how they reach so deep. Following the Savior they’ve learned “Saving Grace” comes through Faith, Humility and Penance in Redemption is forgiveness. It is the Master’s Way, the Truth and the Life.
So as they Fish they teach us the Way to Pray, which is to say, fish to save, for ALL on Earth are fragile and ALL on Earth need us to Pray, to Serve, so in our own turn—We may save and with our Savior stay …
As a professional woodcarver, and not knowing how long we would be quarantined, I realized I needed to do a woodcarving—carving has always acted as a grounding effect for me. And I knew it would need to be a carving that would speak to the Pandemic, but also that which I believe brought on the Pandemic—an imbalance in the mode in which we live with Nature, the destruction of the cosmos! Impending climate collapse!
The Question is, are we—the Human Species—continuing to cause this imbalance, and if so, can we correct it?
Como tallador de madera profesional, y sin saber cuánto tiempo estaríamos en cuarentena, me di cuenta de que necesitaba hacer un tallado en madera; tallar siempre ha actuado como un efecto de conexión a tierra para mí. Y sabía que tendría que ser una talla que hablara de la pandemia, pero también de aquello que creo que provocó la pandemia: un desequilibrio en el modo en que vivimos con la naturaleza, ¡la destrucción del cosmos! ¡El inminente colapso climático!
La pregunta es: ¿seguimos nosotros, la especie humana, causando este desequilibrio? Y, de ser así, ¿podemos corregirlo?
This Question is the essence of the message of the carving.
We see our modern-day Adam pondering this question, shown more as his temptation—recalling the original story of the Garden of Eden.
To answer this, the parable of The Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit speaks to us here and now as we find ourselves in A Garden Moment.
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Esta pregunta es la esencia del mensaje de la talla.
Vemos a nuestro Adán moderno reflexionando sobre esta pregunta, mostrada más como su tentación, recordando la historia original del Jardín del Edén.
Para responder a esto, la parábola del Jardín del Edén y el fruto prohibido nos habla aquí y ahora mientras nos encontramos en Un Momento de Jardín.
Eve and Adam
“Our Garden Moment”
Time was we thought right from wrong, was caused by what Adam did for lack of judgment less than strong.
But since we left the Garden we’ve wandered and we’ve strayed, off the straight and narrow, off the path we’ve paved.
Seems some still hold the feeling that it should not be them to shame— But that “surely it was the Other.” So they invented Blame.
So they reject the garden story along with forbidden trees. They see no problem in doing anything they “Damn Well Please!”
Now our Modern Adam has quite a powerful Thrust. Cause with nods from his Investors it is “In Him they Trust”
So it’s come and so it goes so many times around. It’s made us all quite dizzy and scrambled Sacred ground.
So now We stand-in with Eve and Adam, but this time we’re ALL around, looking up once again. But knowing the Forbidden Fruit still is mostly underground.
But now the truth stands out for us, for all of us to see, where once were lies, it’s clear, spoken in whispers, OH so low, whispered in one man’s ear.
So with Eve we tremble, as our new Adam eyes what may be reason, for the last time that we Fall. And again mistakes in thinking of no consequence if he listens to The Snake.
Our Eve cries out “Listen to us Mothers and Will-be Mothers, for little time is left. Hear our voice, it is our choice to birth and bear our kin. Who if worthy of Us, will do for those who follow, what WE now do for Them.”
For it was before, we little thought beyond our children and theirs. Now we must “In God we Trust” be the bridge for all our children’s future tomorrows…
El destino de Jonás (“Fate of Jonah) es una pintura y un soneto de mi nueva serie “Gritos de la Creación“, inspirada en la encíclica “Laudato Si” del Papa Francisco de 2015.
Ships of Fools (Barcos de Tontos) es una pintura y un soneto de mi nueva serie “Gritos de la Creación“, inspirados en la encíclica “Laudato Si” del Papa Francisco de 2015.
I recently received an email from a theology graduate student at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown New Jersey. Eileen Connor Callahan stated that she was writing about the correlations between Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’ On Care for our Common Home and my painting On Earth as it is in Heaven: through Him all things were made Jn 1:3(shown here). Indeed she was visualizing “Laudato Si'” through my painting. For this purpose she went on to ask me a few questions for her paper and slideshow. She presented them in early December 2018.
I painted this work 26 years ago, and it’s more relevant now than ever before! I now see it as an aid to visualizing “Laudato Si'”.
Certainly, I was inspired because of the deteriorating environmental conditions on this most delicate island, Puerto Rico. Unquestionably Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ On Care for our Common Home spelled out the environmental problems on a global scale.
Its message was loud and clear!
Undeniably, its message is clear and eloquently stated. Hence, it is a theological clarification of what the science reveals to us. Furthermore, for me Hurricane Maria brought it all into focus!
Some folks think we as an industrial society and economic system have little to do with causing climate change/global warming. But what parents would gamble on their children’s lives and future generations if there is a possibility that we can do our best to protect God’s sacred creation?
I have become aware that most Catholics/Christians have not read Laudato Si’, let alone studied the encyclical. It is clearly written and elegantly concise. What’s more, Pope Francis has quoted popes going back to Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI as well as the research of the most eminent international scientists renown in their fields. But unfortunately it is not being discussed as a prioritized issue in our churches or society in general.
This painting points to Laudato Si’ which spells out in everyday language both the environmental and spiritual crisis we are facing.
