Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Christian Art in Postmodernism

Abstract

Christian artwork during postmodernism. The concept of Christianity and artwork is a subject of debate in postmodern society today. Today, the church has resorted to art to align their thoughts and hearts to reflect Christian teaching and ideologies. Our hearts and minds contribute significantly to our preferences and pleasures. If art captures the mind and heart, it puts meaning to human life and perceptions. Christian artwork depicts religious customs, traditions, beliefs, and values that interconnect humanity and divinity. It glorifies Christianity using themes and imagery written biblically, for instance, the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, among many other biblical stories. According to (Shusterman 1), “in the twentieth-century Western culture, artworks have become the closest thein that we have to sacred texts, and art almost seems a form of religion with its prophetic breed of creative artists perennially purveying new gospels.” Today the world is dynamic following its technological and communication changes; everything is not stable anymore. The reality is that we no longer use our outdated ways and definitions of life; we accept new outcomes and move on. We live in an era of postmodernism. Postmodern literature is more symbolic and visual than modern times, where Christianity was interpreted through reading, writing, analysis, and critical thinking. Christian artwork enables artists to express their Christian faith and occurrences in the bible. Some of the artworks are devotional and depict deep intuition of faiths and beliefs. Postmodern Christianity is philosophical; it critically evaluates Christian teachings, considering assumptions that reflect the differences in our communities. It does not conform to the universal truths that are always advocated for. Today postmodernists make paintings that reflect their mood rather than the painting itself. Before postmodernism, artists were obliged to a proposed setting on artwork. They were always aligned to the church's service, which has today taken a shift of diversity. Christian arts today have exhibited an amalgamation of cultures, attitudes, and beliefs when it comes to their spirituality. According to (Aichele et al. 384), postmodernism is characterized by diversity in both method and content and by an anti-essentialist emphasis that rejects the idea that there is a final account, an assured and agreed -on interpretation, of something.” Society today is highly visual, and postmodern art has gained power in response to the dynamic world with few restrictions. Postmodernists have a habit of treating the bible like any other book. Postmodern art is not profound; it is subjective rather than being objective. Art and religion are interrelated and compatible. According to (Franck 277), “everything artistic or religious is artistic or religious because it functions artistically or religiously.” Art is a fundamental issue in connecting humanity and divinity. Religion and art connect human life to the spiritual realm. Society today has blended art with various religions to express their faiths. The various forms of art such as music, literature, architecture (buildings), theatres, cartoons, photography paintings, and movies have been used to manifest Christianity in postmodern times. Christians have not been left behind in proclaiming biblical events to their viewers using art. Artists have taken steps in advocating for biblical virtues. They do this by addressing and rebuking oppression, marginalization, and harassment through Christian iconography. Figure 1; Ana Mendieta, Untitled (Self-Portrait with Blood), (1973) The estate of Ana Mendieta; retrieved from, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/mendieta-untitled-self-portrait-with-blood-t13354 Many churches in postmodern times are pieces of art by themselves or may contain various artistic depictions in them. For instance, the famous cathedrals and the well-crafted catholic churches are artistic and used for the glory of God. Art is a symbol of the love of God and divine worship. The sacred music by the Catholics and the beautiful holy mass showcases God's beauty and goodness. The bible itself is artistic due to its monumental work of art. Art is a narrative with magnificent arts of poetry and literature and tells the religious story. Religion is much significant in the field of art. It connects Christians with the supreme power of their faith. The deepest depth of human experience is religion. Art is most ideological when it is religious. It is emotional and upholds spirituality, especially in devotional music, prayer-poems, and religious passages. The level of spirituality is dependent on an individual, and most artists have taken art as a manifestation of spiritual practice. Good art is persuasive and moves the heart. The catholic church is known for its artistic features of Jesus Christ himself and the saints. The arts in their churches aim to remind them of their faith; the images are not to be adored or worshiped; they aim to lead people to their God and increase their spirituality. Some Christians remain steadfast in their beliefs and faiths. Bill Viola made art reflect the theme of martyrdom which was later installed in South Quire Aisle of St Paul’s Cathedral. This shows the level of intuition and spirituality and encourages...