Earlier this year, acclaimed Christian master portrait artist Zimou Tan, who held a solo exhibition titled “The Lord was There” featuring his religious paintings in New York, launched a Kickstarter campaign.
The campaign aims to raise $37,500 to cover production costs for the book, offering rewards to donors that range from signed copies to original artwork, depending on their level of support.
"I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of my Kickstarter campaign for ‘The Lord Was There,’ an art book dedicated to illustrating moments of faith, hope, and the presence of God,” Tan said in an interview with The Christian Post.
Tan described his collection as a reflection of “my journey through Scripture, bringing each scene to life with visuals that capture the depth and beauty of God’s story.” He hopes that these pieces inspire viewers to see familiar passages in a new light and feel the impact of God’s presence through art.
During his exhibition, Tan showcased ten selected works from his religious portfolio, highlighting how deeply his work is inspired by his faith and Scripture.
Among his featured works were “Valley of Dry Bones,” inspired by Ezekiel 37:1-10; “The Lion, the Lamb, and the King,” which draws inspiration from Revelation 5:5 and Isaiah 53:7; “Forgiveness,” inspired by John 8:3-7; “Temptations,” based on Matthew 4:1-11; “Faith,” which takes its roots from Genesis 22:1-19; “40 Days,” inspired by Matthew 4:1; “Blessing,” based on Luke 6:20-23; “Seeking Sanctuary,” inspired by Romans 11:33-36; "Carrying the Cross Together," which draws inspiration from Matthew 27:31-32; and “Receiving the Paraclete,” based on John 16:13.
One notable piece, “Temptations,” illustrates Jesus' spiritual journey as recounted in Matthew 4:1–11. In this piece, Tan presents a culturally Westernized image of Jesus, stirring discussion about the longstanding debate on the portrayal of Jesus' physical appearance.
Addressing this debate, Tan remarked, “I don't want to put my own opinion into who Jesus really was” as a physical person, which explains why he has never painted a portrait of Jesus.
Tan, believing that God is too vast for his canvas, suggested that Jesus might be perceived differently by individuals depending on their cultural context.
Tan's Kickstarter campaign is set to conclude on January 11, 2025.
