Art, they say, is in the eye of the beholder.
Depends on the beholder I suppose, but I see nothing of any merit, originality, or genuine provocation in a painting called Jesus Speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem, that depicts Jesus on the road to Calvary, disfigured with a Looney Tunes cartoon face.
The artist, who goes by the name of philjames reckons his work is allegedly about, reimagining and re-presenting historical painting and sculptural forms to generate a sense both of the familiar and the uncomfortable through the displacement of notions of time, place, and history combined with the seemingly seamless interweaving of somewhat obscured pop-cultural references. Yeah, right!
Im all for making people think again about long-assumed images, and that certainly includes Christians, but this offering seems more Emperors new clothes than cutting-edge and constructive commentary. In other words, totally naked, in all sorts of ways.
In Sydney, Australia, where the picture was displayed, there was an organised and active protest, to the point where the picture was eventually removed. A Roman Catholic group named Christian Lives Matter launched the campaign, and called the paintingshocking disrespectful art. The artist and workers at the gallery claim that theyve received numerous abusive calls and letters and even threats of physical violence. If so, thats repugnant.
The founder of Christian Lives Matter, Chris Bakhos, thanked the hundreds of supporters who had respectfully called for the work to be removed and said that the picture was, another cheap and low attempt at mocking Christianity.
For many years now there has been an open season on Christianity, in art, literature, television, film, and theatre. We are widely mocked and criticised in popular culture. There are many reasons for that, one being that the consequences of having a pop at Christians/Christianity are either positive or harmless. Theres prestige in mocking what is still considered part of the establishment, and in spite of what some may claim, the possibility of physical violence or career damage is minimal.
The obvious contrast here is with Islam. Ive interviewed Salman Rushdie, author of the Satanic Verses, who was attacked and almost murdered, KurtWestergaard, the Danish cartoonist who drew the picture of Muhammad wearing a bomb in his turban, and lived the rest of his life under police protection, and others who have felt the sting of religious extremist intolerance. So, theres clearly inconsistency if not hypocrisy on display, and also a certain smugness.
The obvious contrast here is with Islam
But all that being said, the Jesus-like response to any controversial issue is based not on the failings of others but on the call of the Gospel. Were made by God to worship and to love, to celebrate the heart set free, but also to relish all that is given to us, and that certainly includes art and literature. The vocation of the Christian is not to limit but to broaden our vision, not to be reactive but pro-active. The Church has been the hand-maiden of creativity, whether it be the magnificence of the renaissance, the literature of Dostoyevsky and Tolkien, or even Monty Pythons Life of Brian.
If the last seems out of place, let me explain. The very freedoms, the very openness, that allows what seems to be mockery of the faith is a product of the precise Christianity that seems so under siege. Such authentic liberty would never exist in an atheistic society witness the former Soviet Union, Maoist China, National Socialist Germany or various Islamic states. The paradox that these ostensible radicals fail to appreciate is that the license they enjoy is a consequence of what they appear to despise.
The paradox that these ostensible radicals fail to appreciate is that the license they enjoy is a consequence of what they appear to despise
As for the works themselves, we have to differentiate. Anything that obliges me to think deeper about my faith is to be welcomed, even if it does sometimes hurt. Nobody welcomes a trip to the doctor but it doesnt mean we dont have to go.
Take the above-mentioned Life of Brian for example. There were demonstrations back in 1979 and the film actually banned in certain places. But today when we watch it, we see not Jesus mocked at all, but a biting rejection of collective foolishness, herd mentality, and not listening when truth is spoken. Much of the Christian response at the time was shameful.
Jesus with a fatuous cartoon face isnt the same thing at all, does nothing to make us think, and is insulting rather than constructive. My response, for what its worth, would be to politely ask the artist or the museum director out for lunch or a coffee, to explain what the Christian faith means, to talk about how fellow believers in so much of the world face daily persecution, the horror of blasphemy laws, and how we feel when we see what we hold so dear insulted for no apparent reason. It might work, it might not. But then we have to have faith, dont we?
See the rest here:
- Osama bin Ladens son banned from France after years spent painting in Normandy - The Telegraph - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- An Astronomer Has Identified the Village Road in This Van Gogh Painting - artnet News - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Man Buys $50 Painting at a Barn Sale in New York. It Could Now Fetch $200K at Auction - PEOPLE - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Scouts team up to help We Love Rainier WA with painting project - Nisqually Valley News - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- EMILY CARR PAINTING BOUGHT FOR $50 AT BARN SALE POISED TO FETCH $147K AT AUCTION - Artforum - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Italian family believes painting found in a dump in 1960s is a Picasso and seeks authentication - The Associated Press - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Arts Los Altos and State Street Market to host live painting event - Los Altos Town Crier - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Painting the Garden State: Davis Painting expands to the Jersey Shore - ROI-NJ.com - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Painting Found in Capri Basement Is an Authentic Picasso, Experts Say - ARTnews - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Renowned Canadian artists painting that was lost for over 100 years discovered by U.K. artist - NOW Toronto - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- A Junk Dealer Discovered a 'Horrible' Painting in a Cellar 60 Years Ago. It Might Be a $6.6 Million Picasso - Smithsonian Magazine - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- A junk dealer found a painting in a basement. Experts say its an original Picasso - CNN - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Every Frame a Painting: What Would Billy Wilder Do? - kottke.org - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Painting stars, stripes and military members - Minot Daily News - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Painting Thought to Be Picasso Original Found in Basement by Junk Dealer Could Be Worth Millions, Experts Say - PEOPLE - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- PHOTOS: Painting the town pink - The Albany Herald - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Painting operations to impact I-90 bridge over Route 20 in Lee through Friday - Berkshire Eagle - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Painting of traditional fall plowing in Wisconsin at Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend, WI - washingtoncountyinsider.com - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- This Painting Found in an Italian Villas Basement Could be a Picasso Thats Worth Millions - Robb Report - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Try one of these 60 pumpkin painting ideas this Halloween - Cosmopolitan UK - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Smith: Spectacled eider in Wisconsin inspired artist to winning painting in 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Contest - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- The climate protesters who threw soup at a van Gogh painting. (And why they wont stop.) - POLITICO Europe - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- This painting will be sold for up to $1 million in the East Bay, experts say - KRON4 - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Londons National Gallery Acquires Major Victorian Painting for Its 200th Birthday - artnet News - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Lakeway police on the hunt for vandal spray painting anti-Semitic symbols, racial slurs - KVUE.com - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Ventura program getting at risk youth involved with art, painting murals around the city - CBS News - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Artist raises awareness of the value of bees by painting bees in murals around the world - WCNC.com - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- This painting will be sold for up to $1 million in the East Bay, experts say - MSN - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Police seek woman who drove into restricted area while kids were painting parking spaces - Hull Times - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- I made $400 in one day at 13-years-old with my easy painting side hustle all it took was a trip around m... - The US Sun - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- A rare Sean Keating painting comes to auction - The Irish Times - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Shetterly unveils Richard Blanco painting at The Gem - Lewiston Sun Journal - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Northrop Elementary School PTO volunteers were inspired by Medina's square, painting buildings and roads alongside the pavement. - The Gazette - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Bangor is still drastically behind painting its roads - Bangor Daily News - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Community center roofing work, painting being completed - Huntington Herald Dispatch - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- The Magic of Matte Painting Its Long History and Film Examples - CineD - August 17th, 2024 [August 17th, 2024]
- Suspects accused of assaulting officer, spray-painting property in anti-Israel riot sought by police - Fox News - August 4th, 2024 [August 4th, 2024]
- Chewelah Painting Unveils Stunning Log Home Refinishing Project in Wilbur, WA: A Case Study in Restoration Excellence - Markets Insider - August 4th, 2024 [August 4th, 2024]
- Lockland man, tired of waiting for pothole repairs, facing charges after painting circles around them - FOX19 - August 4th, 2024 [August 4th, 2024]
- Angelina Jolie Slammed For Painting Herself As The Victim By Asking Brad Pitt To Drop His Lawsuit: She Doesnt Have A Strong Case Anymore - SheFinds - August 4th, 2024 [August 4th, 2024]
- Olympic Last Supper scene was in fact based on painting of Greek gods, say art experts - The Guardian - August 4th, 2024 [August 4th, 2024]
- You can step into Edward Hoppers paintings in NYCs Meatpacking District this weekend - Time Out - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Check Out Ten Never-Before-Seen Paintings by Winston Churchill - Smithsonian Magazine - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Theres Something Toxic About Megan Bickels Landscapes - Hyperallergic - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Robert E. Bear, Founder Of Cave Bear LLC, Showcases His Love For Nature Via Idyllic Wildlife Paintings - International Business Times - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Baldwin Township artist helps launch Vintage Grand Prix with painting of Paul Skenes - TribLIVE - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Space Makers Charts the Influence of Native Art on American Abstraction - ARTnews - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- 'Southern/Modern': Rediscovering the Radical Art Below the Mason-Dixon Line - The New York Times - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Meet Ferrisburgh, a Rescued Kestrel Who Started Painting After a ... - Smithsonian Magazine - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- New to the NW, he's painting 100 Chestnut Hill scenes - Chestnut Hill Local - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- 10 Best Face Painting Supplies for 2023 - The Jerusalem Post - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Gond painting by Jangan Singh Shyam on display - Daily Pioneer - December 3rd, 2023 [December 3rd, 2023]
- Painting the town Christmas - Moorpark Acorn - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Margate painting bike lanes green to prevent drivers from using them - Press of Atlantic City - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Review: Glory of the World: Color Field Painting (1950s to 1983) - Observer - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Conservator Restore This Renaissance Painting of a Medici - My Modern Met - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Gauguin's shocking claim: Van Gogh painted the Sunflowers ... - Art Newspaper - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Jeff Tech Art Club students continue window painting tradition in ... - The Courier-Express - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- From Loewe to Swarovski, hand-painted murals get a luxury upgrade - Jing Daily - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Painting Perfection with Electric Paint Sprayers: A Comprehensive ... - Robotics and Automation News - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Joe Venditti's legacy as the Eagles' 'Official Painting Coach' lives on - PhiladelphiaEagles.com - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- The Huntington Acquires Historic Portrait by Renowned Spanish ... - The South Pasadenan - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- An Oklahoma love story: How an early Oklahoman's collection of ... - tulsapeople.com - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Pierre Bonnards paintings brim with vitality in Kimbell exhibition - The Dallas Morning News - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Adel Library to Host Teen Painting Contest and Hometown Holiday ... - Raccoon Valley Radio - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- PETA to Auction off the Iconic Anti Bullfighting Painting "The ... - PR Web - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- Isle of Wight students 'paint the plow' - Smithfield Times - Smithfield Times - December 2nd, 2023 [December 2nd, 2023]
- A Piet Mondrian painting has been hanging upside-down for decades, art historian says - CNN - November 1st, 2022 [November 1st, 2022]
- Eastern Flank Battlefield to Host "Painting the Parks" Art Show - Williamson Source - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- This Botticelli Painting, Once Owned by the Late Paul Allen, Could Fetch $40 Million at Auction - Robb Report - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- So the internet thinks there's an iPhone in this 19th century painting - Creative Bloq - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Long-Unseen Painting of Jamaican Man Is Identified as Rare Richmond Barth Work - ARTnews - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Halloween Window Painting contest will bring downtown windows to life - The Messenger - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- TCU Painting U.S. Cities With Leading Alums in Honor of 150th Birthday - Fort Worth Magazine - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Oakland painter Mary Lovelace ONeal honored at On the Edge gala at de Young Museum - SF Chronicle Datebook - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Celebrate Las Vegas Pride this weekend with lights, drinks, and body painting - KLAS - 8 News Now - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- How to Paint (with Pictures) - wikiHow - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- 50 Most Famous Paintings of All Time in the Art History (Ranked) - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Mural painting brings community together - University of Wisconsin-Madison - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Bold: Painting in the outdoors is nice work when you get it - Sudbury.com - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]