Identity

Identity. What is it? How do we define it? Can you change it? In the Identity chapter of It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God, Prescott discusses the concept of identity. In our American culture, many people often identify themselves as a member of a group; Greek Orthodox, Hispanic, dyslexic, MFA, and so forth. But what fascinates me is how limiting these titles are, and how they divide individuals into boxes based on group characteristics. Prescott comments on this, saying, 

“Categories relating to identity can be enumerated endlessly, and in one sense the more categorically complete a description we have, the more we should know someone’s identity. But this is misleading, because categories defined by one’s inclusion in a group are always about group characteristics...[they] are limited tools for understanding an individual.” -Prescott

Up to and Including Her Limits. Carolee Schneemannn.
1973-76. Video / Performance Art.

Furthermore, the body is one way in which artists have used to define themselves. On the MoMA Learning website, the body is described as a source of identity which artists have employed in their art. 

"The human body is central to how we understand facets of identity such as gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity. People alter their bodies, hair, and clothing to align with or rebel against social conventions and to express messages to others around them. Many artists explore gender through representations of the body and by using their own bodies in their creative process."

Artwork by Mark Powell

However, this is only a small, nearly insignificant facet of identity. Personal characteristics isn’t going to lead us to the truth. If we base our identities off of physical strength, who do we become when weak? If beauty, what becomes of the identity with age? This train of thought can extend even further to experiences. Society likes to describe us as putty ready for molding; that we come into this world a blank slate and our identity is formed by our experiences in the world. Because our identity is the result of external forces, as opposed to internal predispositions, we may change our identity. Our culture's imagery and business is built on the idea of easy change - the ability to "make yourself over." If only it were that easy.

Identity is so much more than social grouping, physicality, culture, or experiences. We are made up of more than sexual orientation, weight, or heritage. We are more than the sum of our experiences. 

I believe this brings to one central conclusion: we did not create ourselves. We were created beautiful and unique, with purpose, which transcends any identity we may attempt to give ourselves. We were made for more than our self given labels. There is so much more to me than merely “Christian” or “artist.” George MacDonald, Scottish author, poet, and preacher puts it best:

“I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest and most precious thing in all thinking.”

Ancient of Days. William Blake. 1794.

Sources

It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God by Bustard

"Investigating Identity." MoMA Learning. Moma.org. 

George-MacDonald.com