Black Bunny Doll – An Important Artwork In My Life
Art in any medium can have all sorts of different kinds of impact in one’s life. It can be either negative, positive, or no impact at all. The art work I chose to recall about has rather had a positive impact in my life through the lens of Christian Imagination. What is the one thing I cannot lose in my life? I thought to myself for a long period of time with many answers floating in my head. I thought of my parents, a drawing of my family I drew when I was eleven, my rosary ring I always wore on my index finger, and many more. Then all of a sudden, something came up in my mind – a black, bunny doll that I have owned since I was five. It is made by a company called Le Sucre which specializes in making bunny dolls. It is very worn out since I had it for about more than ten years. One would easily be able to tell this doll is more than ten years old from the ripped clothes of it. How this doll became a very important part of my life goes back to the first ever family trip I went on when I was five.
During the trip, our family visited to a city market full of scrumptious food and cool accessories I was eager to buy. Then, something caught my eyes – a black bunny doll. I was fine with not buying other accessories but I knew I was going to regret for not bringing it home with me. I begged my parents with every strength I had and I was able to get it. Ever since then, I always tuck the doll in between my arms and touch its nose when I go to sleep. It may seem a bit strange and funny but this is a true story even after I moved to Canada without my parents for academics. My parents decided to send my sister and I away for better education and more experience in a different country.
In prior to writing this essay, I reflected on myself thinking, “Why is this doll so important to me through the lens of Christian Imagination?” The answer that popped up in my head relates back to one of Langan’s five categories of Christian Imagiantion – iconic. As the article, “The Christian Imagination” written by Janine Langan states, “It seeks to reflect faithfully the face of the beloved”. This worn out doll is iconic of memories from my home country – South Korea. I was a young, little girl when I moved to Canada with my sister to be taken care of by my aunt’s family. It was very hard for me to adapt to such new environment, culture, and the language barrier. That being said, I still recall even to this date, of me crying in bed, homesick. Yet, there was this one thing that actually comforted me – the black bunny doll. When I tucked it in between my arms when going to bed, it reminded me of my home country and my parents. With the doll, I started to reminisce all the cherished memories I had with my family on the family trip and they came to me so real and true, that it was as if I can hear the laughter of my parents with my own ears. When I reflect on it now, I believe it was a reflection of my home and all the good memories I had there. I knew even though I had to move away from my parents for a bright future, the doll would always stay by me, just like how God never leaves my side.
Thus, by tucking in the doll, made me feel at home, comfortable, and it is what actually got me through the hard times for me to love Canada as my second home. Langan also describes “Christian imagination as typological. ” Out of the fourfold exegesis, the one I selected through the lens of Christian Imagination is allegorical. When my parents bought this doll, they bought it for me just like how any other typical parents would react when their kids were begging. Initially, I wanted it for my bed decorations because it was an eye-catching, cute doll. Not only that, I wanted to brag to my friends that I have many stuffed animals in contrast to them. However, I came to a realization that this doll wasn’t just for a plain old decoration of my bedroom. It became a symbol for a wonderful life that I left behind in my home country. Every time I looked at the doll, I started to smile and that really became the primary driving force for me to adapt to my new home, Canada. To me, it wasn’t just a cute, stuffed animal to keep. It was something far above and beyond that – a beloved memory from back home, and a positive, strong driving force that kept me strong in my new home I had to adapt.
Lastly, from a letter by John Paul II states, “Beauty will save the world. ” I completely agree with this statement because just like God has made our world “good” and “beautiful” for everyone to live in, the doll manufacturer has made this doll so cute and beautiful that I just had to buy it. Thus, it led me to comfort and gave me strength to be able to adapt in Canada.
Beauty brings enthusiasm and joy into our lives. Just like that, Le Sucre’s beautiful artwork, has brought joy and strength into my life. To anyone, this piece of worn out doll could mean nothing, but it carries so many important meanings to myself and my life. To me, it’s more than just a black bunny doll that I keep on my bed. It is a true reflection of my home country, beloved ones and memories which brought joy and strength into my life. I hope and pray to keep it with me forever.
