‘Just because it’s not in a gallery, doesn’t mean it’s not Art’.
The above quote couldn’t be more appropriate when considering the centuries old marriage between Art and Religion. Visit any religious building and you will find a broad range of art (paintings, carvings, sculptures and stained glass to name but a few) and because places of worship are both commonplace and usually readily accessible, this really is ‘Art for everyone’.
What is of particular interest though is the way in which religion, certainly in more recent times, has welcomed contemporary art into its congregation; how artists are applying a modern twist to ancient crafts and how religious buildings are being used more and more as an Art space. This ‘New Religion’ is an exciting arena and is another example of how, perhaps without us noticing it, Art infiltrates our everyday lives.
Today’s sermon is therefore taken from the gospel according to The Broad Brush. It tells of the modern, symbiotic relationship between Art & Religion, and teaches us how both can stir us, motivate us, exercise our emotions and, as Pablo Picasso once famously said, help us wash away from the soul, the dust of everyday life.
Let us Pray…
Stained Glass
If evidence were needed of Religion embracing contemporary Art, then look no further than the Church of England’s recent commissioning of David Hockney to produce a stained glass window in Westminster Abbey. Standing at 6 metres tall, the window (top right of the above picture) will replace one of the last remaining pieces of plain glass in the Abbey’s North transept and is to be installed to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 65th year on the throne. As a sign of growing acceptance of contemporary art within religious spaces, there has been little resistance but much anticipation for the finished piece, which Hockney is still working on.
A little less contemporary, but a good example of modern themes being used within ancient churches, is the stained glass work found at Daresbury, in the English county of Cheshire. Daresbury was the birthplace of Charles Dodgson, better known to you and I as Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland. In 1935, to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth, Carroll enthusiasts the world over donated to a memorial fund which resulted in a stained glass window being installed in All Saints’ Church in the village. The main panels in the window depict the Nativity, with Carroll and Alice being present on the far left. Characters from Alice in Wonderland, such as The Mad Hatter and The March Hare, are included in the lower panels.
Sculpture & Carvings
Antonio Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is arguably the greatest example in the world of Art existing in perfect harmony with Religion. Not only does the cathedral have kaleidoscopic contemporary stained glass…
…but the sculpture work is also modern and contemporary in its style and execution.
This perfect union of Art & Religion could take up a whole blog in its own right but, for now, the following trailer from a film dedicated to its construction will give you a flavour of the faultless fusion of religious purpose and stand alone piece of contemporary art & sculptural architecture…
As a further example, you can see first hand how modern carving meets medieval church at York Minster in England. Following a major fire to the Minster’s South transept in 1984, the children’s television programme, Blue Peter, ran a competition for children to design 6 new vaulting bosses for the newly restored ceiling. The designs were based on achievements in 20th century life, for which young people wanted to give thanks, and included many themes popular in the mid 1980’s including ‘famine relief’, ‘space exploration’, ‘raising the Mary Rose Tudor warship’ and ‘save the whale’…
Icons
Icons can be traced back to the 3rd century and are religious works of art most commonly associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church (icon is Greek for image). Icons can often be found in churches, although many art galleries also house collections. Icons typically depict Christ, Mary and the Nativity. They are generally hand painted on wood and often portray one or two main figures. Icons can also be found cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth and produced in mosaic form.
Mosaic Icon of the Virgin – Byzantine 13th century
Interestingly, contemporary artists are producing a new wave of Icon art which is rapidly gathering a growing following of parishioners. Taking the icon as obvious inspiration, artists such as Lyuba Yatskiv are finding great success and popularity with their striking religious images. A very modern take on an ancient craft…
A place of worship as a contemporary art space
A significant aspect of this ‘New Religion’ is various religious orders embracing modern and contemporary art and using religious buildings as extended art galleries. This is proving to be a huge hit and people are flocking to view contemporary art in this different and unique environment.
A good example of this is Liverpool Cathedral’s contemporary art initiative ‘Art in the Cathedral’ where world renowned contemporary artists, such as Tracey Emin, have exhibited their work.
Click on the link below to discover more…
http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/home/about-us/art-in-the-cathedral.aspx
St Martin-in-the-Fields, located off Trafalgar Square in London, is another example of a religious building offering itself up as a modern art space. The church provides a dedicated art gallery in its crypt, providing an intriguing backdrop to display modern art and photography.
Click on the link below to discover more…
http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/visiting/art-and-exhibitions/
This initiative is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon with religious denominations the world over ‘seeing the light’ and introducing dedicated Art exhibits. Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is a wonderful example of Religion embracing modern and contemporary art. For example, the church has previously installed twenty miles of stained glass coloured ribbon as one of its contemporary art exhibits. It has also recently installed an art installation on the cathedral entrance steps. The ‘Sky Steps’ provide visitors with the impression of climbing to heaven. As the church states:
“We believe that art connects people to the depths of their souls and to the divine, so we foster the arts in many ways. We have an Artist in Residence program. Our cathedral is a work of art that is filled with works of art. And we host art exhibits and programs at various times throughout the year.”
Click on the link below to discover more…
https://www.gracecathedral.org/art-and-exhibits/
I guess if you take anything away from this sermon, it should be the fact that Art can be found in the most unexpected of places. Next time you’re on holiday or visiting a Town or City, why not pop into a church if you’re passing, you never know what artistic delights may await you inside.
Finally, also remember that Art, like Religion, is available to everyone. As people trust in their particular faiths, we also have preferences for our favourite types of Art, but one thing remains constant, and that is the fact that, regardless of your religion, Art can bring positive joy and emotion into all of our lives.
Here endeth the lesson.
Thanks for reading!
The Broad Brush 