Title: Shema
“Shema” is an Aramaic word meaning “hearken,” which also carries the rich connotations of listen, obey, and understand. Rooted in the Hebrew word שׁמע (shama), it transcends passive hearing—calling us to deeply attend to, respond to, and live by what is spoken. This art piece is a visual meditation on that call.
At the heart of the painting is a melanin-toned woman, embodying strength and sacred purpose. Her ears are bound with a rope to the Gospel, on which the word truth is written—etched in the blood of Jesus. This profound detail affirms the central Christian belief: Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), and the Gospel is the living word that carries it.
The Gospel binding her ears symbolizes a holy discipline. This is reinforced by the imagery of a vinyl record grafted into her head, to tether one’s hearing to the Word of God. The record is a metaphor for the thoughts, sounds, and influences we allow into our minds. But here, it is sacred: the hand of God is seen delicately controlling the tone arm of the record player, guiding what is heard. This represents surrender, choosing to let God be the DJ of our lives, the voice we tune into above all others.
Scriptural echoes resound throughout the piece. Matthew 13:9 (“Whoever has ears, let them hear”) and Matthew 13:16 (“Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear”) affirm the blessing and responsibility of spiritual hearing. Around her neck, a necklace evokes Proverbs 3:3, where we are instructed to bind truth and mercy around our necks—keeping God’s word close to the heart, worn as both ornament and covenant.
This painting is not just an image—it is a prayer. A call to truly hear. A reminder that obedience begins with attention. And an invitation to let the voice of God be the soundtrack of our soul.