The Bible, Religion, Art.
The Bible has outlived monarchies, empires, tyrannies & despots & is therefore worthy of consideration. There is talk of a resurgence of church attendance in Europe. I take religions seriously, but know none are perfect. They represent spiritual & social values which can change if questioned. I prefer religions which allow you to leave & return when you choose.
I question religion that doesn't allow human beings to be included in its art. Even if you don't understand religious art, you can be attracted to it's beauty & skill. I believe historical religious art wasn't just created as political propaganda for whoever the overlords of society were at the time.
An Ongoing Observation
For many decades I've seen an outpouring of art, often called amateur art, not by professionals but by people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities - In adult education, in groups & communities, workshops, courses, online etc etc.
I see it as not just a hobby, but more as a need for a personal connection to the spark of creativity, which I see as connected to the Divine - a thing almost impossible to define. Is it an unconscious response to keep alive the spirit of personal creation in an age where many see ugliness prevailing in so many ways.
Two Images - pencil copy of a painting by .....a detail of a drawing of a jewelled medieval cross.
CONTROVERSY & HARMONY
Although in essence invisible, religion can generate opposing views, at worst violent conflict. Whether you're a believer or not, it can create spiritual awareness, heated arguments & varying behaviours, thoughts & emotions.
From high art to adverts, pictures affect our state of mind & conscious awareness. Some qualified opinion says the image came before the written word. If so, we should place more importance on all things visual.
The video below - a drawing circa 2022, inspired by Italian Renaissance art.
New Paragraph
The picture above is of .......
