Softly and Tenderly Calling

Authors

Jewelya Coffey, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Matthew Sontheimer

Date of this Version

4-2024

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts

Major: Art

Under the Supervision of Professor Matthew Sontheimer

Lincoln, Nebraska, April 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Jewelya Coffey. Used by permission

Abstract

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me;

See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,

Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home,

You who are weary, come home;

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

Pleading for you and for me?

Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,

Mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,

Passing from you and from me;

Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,

Coming for you and for me.

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,

Promised for you and for me!

Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,

Pardon for you and for me.

Softly and Tenderly Calling is a body of two-dimensional and three-dimensional work where colorful, highly symbolic pieces play with themes of memory, grief, motherhood, religion, rural life growing up in the Ozarks, and the god-haunted image. Bright, neon colors are used in contrast with subdued greys. Seasons are not held in place within landscapes, causing confusion and disorientation in time. The title, based on the hymn Softly and Tenderly, is a common church of Christ hymn composed and written by Will L. Thompson in 1880. The song is often used in altar calls or during funerals as it depicts Jesus calling us back to Him and back to heaven.

Advisor: Matthew Sontheimer