Artist Statement: Campus Mural
Artist Statement | Eisenhower Campus Center Mural
The Eisenhower Suite: Movement One | November 2026
5’x 18.5’ | acrylic on Polytab
This painting is designed to glorify God and exemplify Christ Preeminent, the motto of Messiah University.
The mural begins at left, where symbols referencing the person of Christ are layered in tension and harmony. Jesus is called both the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) and the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Their juxtaposition also subtly references early 19th-century Pennsylvania painter Edward Hicks, whose images of The Peaceable Kingdom are woven deeply into American culture.
Moving right, the arms of a man appear, robed in crimson and bearing a sacred name inscribed in his palm. His open gesture evokes both divine presence and an invitation to reconciliation, extending toward a dove, partially illuminated by a golden ring. The dove recalls the Holy Spirit descending at Jesus’ baptism and the covenant with Noah. It symbolizes peace as well as God’s indwelling and empowering of those whose faith is in Him.
The golden ring, a perfect circle without beginning or end, abstractly references God the Father. Gold’s enduring value, resistance to tarnish and ability to reflect light have served artists throughout history as symbols for the presence and character of our Creator.
These orchestrated elements rest against a blue sky filled with transparent layers of fruiting olive branches. Holy Scripture is rich with references to olive branches and their meanings, but my hope is that they serve here as a reference of the unity of all Believers in Christian faith.
—Daniel M. Finch
Professor of art, Messiah University