The Bible, Religion, Art.
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Having outlived monarchies, empires, tyrannies & despots the Bible is worthy of consideration. The volume of art, buildings, music, manuscripts & more that is has inspired, given rise to over 2000 years is staggering. Probably nothing comes close to it.
Although I'm not religious I prefer those which allow you to leave & return when you choose, & question those that prohibit allow humans 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 several 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, groups, courses, communities, online.
It's more than a hobby, it's 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 - interpretations of a Crucifix in Toledo, Spain. Pen, ink, watercolour & gouache. 50x70cm. 2026
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 - drawing in Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery.
The picture above is of .......
