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Friday 1 February 2008

Biblical Art: An International A-Z - Part 1

Art histories rarely focus on modern sacred or religious art, giving the impression that the visual arts in the twentieth century were predominantly secular. This represents a Western view of art history which can itself be challenged and which completely overlooks the significant development of Biblical Art in Asia and Africa throughout this period and on into the contemporary scene. The following A-Z attempts to provide a brief sample of some of the artists and organisations that create and support Biblical Art in Asia and Africa:

Asian Christian Art Association (ACAA): Founded in 1978 to encourage the visual arts in Asian churches. ACAA has raised the profile of Asian Christian Art through conferences, exhibitions, publications, a magazine (Image) and a website. Christian Art in Asia, The Bible through Asian eyes and Christ for all people are each showcases for the art and artists that ACAA support.

The Blake Prize for Religious Art: an Australian art prize, named after William Blake, established in 1949 as an incentive to raise the standard of contemporary religious art. Justin O’Brien was the first winner, Eric Smith has been a seven times winner and other multiple winners include: John Coburn; Leonard French; George Gittoes; Roger Kemp; Rodney Milgate; Desiderius Orban and David Voigt.

Antoine Camilleri (1922 – 2005): an innovative Maltese artist who worked in a wide variety of media. He said that, “to succeed in painting one must always experiment and create new methods and designs.” In several works, such as Christ conquered the cross and his stained glass at the Augustinian Church at Tarxien, he succeeded in combining the significance of the crucifixion with that of the resurrection.

Ivo Dulčić (1916 – 1975): Croatian colourist whose paintings, murals and stained glass feature in Croatia’s churches, monasteries and museums. Dulčić was part of a trio of painters (with Đuro Pulitika and Antun Masle) in his native Dubrovnik.

Each with his own brush: Written in 1938 by Revd. Daniel Johnson Fleming, this book was the first extensive attempt to bring together examples of Christian Art from Asia and Africa. Among the artists featured are Luke Ch’en, Lu Hung Nien, and Alfred D. Thomas. Fleming wrote two other books on similar themes; Heritage of Beauty and Christian Symbols in a World Community.

Furen: A Chinese Christian school of painting which arose in Beijing between the two world wars at the Catholic University, but which lasted only until 1949. The Chinese Ministry of Education recognized it under the name Furen, a phrase found in the Analects of Confucius which can be translated as "promotion of righteousness." Luke Ch’en, a professor in the Art Department of the University, was the main proponent of this style. Ch’en educated and trained a group of Christian artists including Lu Hung Nien and Wang Su Da.

Gota Rochisuma Associates: a group of sculptors who work from Silviera House, a Catholic educational centre outside of Harare, Zimbabwe. Andrew Mabanji explains that the group "use as our theme the explosion of negative silence, the voice of the voiceless. As members of the Shona tribe we want to release from the stone the hidden strengths of indigenous Shona culture."

Ralph Hotere (b. 1931): a Maori artist of great originality whose origins in a small Maori Catholic community provided him with a magnificent resource from which he has continued to draw inspiration. The Stations of the Cross, the Sacred Heart and the Requiem all occur within the imagery he uses with ingenuity and emotion.

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Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo et al - Township Jive.

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