NEWS AUTUMN 2023

A LIST OF CURRENT EXHIBITIONS, SYMPOSIA AND LECTURES, PODCASTS, VIDEOS, BOOKS, ARTWAY NEWS, AND MORE

EXODUS & EXILE: MIGRATION THEMES IN BIBLICAL IMAGES. The Ben Uri Gallery in London, UK, presents a new online exhibition which features a range of Biblical images from the Ben Uri Collection in order to explore migration themes through consideration of the images, the Bible passages which inspired them and the relationship between the two. This is because themes of identity and migration feature significantly in both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles and images from these Bibles are a substantive element of the Ben Uri Collection. The combination of images and texts enables a range of different reflections, relationships and disjunctions to be explored. The result is that significant synergies can be found between the ancient texts and current issues. In this way, stories and images which may, at first, appear to be describing or defining specific religious doctrines can be seen to take on a shared applicability by exploring or revealing the challenges and changes bound up in the age-old experience of migration.
The Gallery writes: "We are delighted to present a new exhibition interpreting works from our collection titled Exodus and Exile. The survey has been curated by Revd Jonathan Evens who has a long-established parallel interest in art and faith and how they are mutually engaging. We are privileged to benefit from his scholarship and innate sensitivity and am sure you too will be inspired by his selection and commentary.
Revd Jonathan Evens has a long and distinguished interest in the visual arts and in particular the synergy between, and interpretation of, the artist, the symbolism and the underlying messages of the images created. We are honoured and grateful to Jonathan for investing much time and thought to partner with Ben Uri in this initiative and curate and write on this subject." See more here

CHRISTMAS IN ART. Nigel Halliday will be giving a talk on ‘Christmas in art’ at Widcombe Baptist Church in Bath, exploring a range of paintings of the Christmas story. The event is open to the public, free of charge, and very suitable for those not familiar with the meaning of Christmas. The event will be live streamed via this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIHA23m8AHc-QOv-ksNz51g/live Saturday 16th December, 7.30 pm (refreshments from 7.00). Bath, Widcombe Baptist Church, Pulteney Road South, Bath  BA2 4JR. Visit https://www.widcombebaptist.org

EXODUS & EXILE: MIGRATION THEMES IN BIBLICAL IMAGES. The Ben Uri Gallery in London, UK, presents a new online exhibition which features a range of Biblical images from the Ben Uri Collection in order to explore migration themes through consideration of the images, the Bible passages which inspired them and the relationship between the two. This is because themes of identity and migration feature significantly in both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles and images from these Bibles are a substantive element of the Ben Uri Collection. The combination of images and texts enables a range of different reflections, relationships and disjunctions to be explored. The result is that significant synergies can be found between the ancient texts and current issues. In this way, stories and images which may, at first, appear to be describing or defining specific religious doctrines can be seen to take on a shared applicability by exploring or revealing the challenges and changes bound up in the age-old experience of migration.
The Gallery writes: "We are delighted to present a new exhibition interpreting works from our collection titled Exodus and Exile. The survey has been curated by Revd Jonathan Evens who has a long-established parallel interest in art and faith and how they are mutually engaging. We are privileged to benefit from his scholarship and innate sensitivity and am sure you too will be inspired by his selection and commentary.
Revd Jonathan Evens has a long and distinguished interest in the visual arts and in particular the synergy between, and interpretation of, the artist, the symbolism and the underlying messages of the images created. We are honoured and grateful to Jonathan for investing much time and thought to partner with Ben Uri in this initiative and curate and write on this subject." See more here 

ONLINE EVENT – EVERY BREATH A BIRTH: MEDITATIONS FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMASTIDE. Image journal’s third annual Advent Art Salon will feature a musical performance by Page CXVI, seasonal recipes by Ashley Rodriguez and Mark Sprinkle, poetry readings by Thomas Lynch and Suphil Lee Park, a homily by Bobby Gross, and a blessing by James K. A. Smith. Wednesday, December 13, 5–6 p.m. ET.

REMBRANDT AND THE BIBLE. DIVINE ENGRAVING EXHIBITION. The Musée d’art et d’histoire of Geneva holds 220 etchings by Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), which entered the Geneva collections from 1748. At the invitation of the Musée international de la Réforme, 61 prints of religious subjects are presented in the exhibition Rembrandt et la Bible. Gravure divine, complemented by the loan of 10 works from the Musée Jenisch in Vevey and one from the Krugier Foundation. The theme seemed obvious for the venue: what other artist than Rembrandt delved so deeply into the Protestant Bible? The exhibition Rembrandt et la bible. Gravure divine is held at the Musée International de la Réforme, Cr de Saint-Pierre 10, 1204, Geneva. 30 November 2023 - 17 March 2024.

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS CARE ABOUT ABSTRACT ART? Gordon-Conwell-Charlotte (USA) and online. This gallery opening, reception, and lecture will offer an opportunity to learn about why we should care about abstract art for theological, practical, missional, and relational reasons. Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt and Dr. Jonathan Anderson will give lectures to open the exhibit. Feb 22, 6:30-9:00pm EST. See https://www.gordonconwell.edu/event/why-should-christians-care-about-abstract-art/.

NEW EDITION OF THE BIG PICTURE. This latest edition of the Kirby Laing Centre’s The Big Picture magazine explores the theme of Craft, and in it you will find, among others, articles on why art matters today; the ethics of craft; the beauty and power of photography; how paying attention and being handy can be transformative; on doing well whatever your hand finds to do; on the importance of resisting the global consumer machine and making things by hand; on traditional Japanese boat building; on books as sacred sites; on the biblical foundations of journalism; on crafting human hearts; on the craft of translation; on pursuing obscurity; and much more. Read online here

PORTUGUESE TRANSLATION OF THE ARTICLE “IMAGES FOR GOD THE FATHER” BY MARLEEN HENGELAAR-ROOKMAAKER. “God is spirit. God is a mystery. He is awe-inspiringly exalted and at the same time unimaginably loving. How can we ever comprehend Him with our small human intellects? How can we ever get to know Him and learn to live with Him? That would not be possible without the Bible, where God reveals himself to us in stories and images…” In this article, now available in Portuguese, Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker discusses ways in which God the Father has been depicted in art, and considers the Bible as a profound source of images. Read the Portuguese translation here, and the original English version here

THE MOUNTAIN RETREAT, REST, CREATIVITY, GOOD PEOPLE, AND YOU. AN EXPERIENCE OF HIMALAYAN REST, CREATIVITY, AND CONNECTION FOR CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS IN INDIA. Art for Change runs a series of weeklong and weekend retreats for you to immerse yourself in nature, find rest, create and connect with like-minded others, and discover a renewed sense of purpose. Curated by Art for Change with over 14 years’ experience running artist residencies, each Mountain Retreat is open to cohorts of 3-7 creative professionals based in India. Set among stunningly beautiful views in the exclusive Landour neighbourhood of Mussoorie, the Mountain Retreat is a transformative experience designed for you to step away from the busyness of life, experience creative community, reflect and learn from nature, and find creative ideas and solutions for life and work. Think of the retreat as a creative vacation that honors the needs of mind, body and soul. Apply online here.

ARTWAY BLOG. Jonathan Evens interviews David Miller on his work and the “interrelation, symbiosis and overlap” between writing and visual art. Noted UK poet, fiction writer, painter, and musician, David Miller was born in Melbourne, Australia, but has lived in the UK for many years. His recent publications include Time, Wisdom, & Koalas (Chax Press, 2023), a work of fantastic fiction, and (close) (Knives Forks and Spoons Press, 2023), a deeply moving sequence of poetry and prose. A prolific writer, other recent publications include: Afterword (Shearsman Books, 2022), circle square triangle (Spuyten Duyvil, 2022), An Envelope for Silence (above/ground press, 2022) and Some Other Shadows (Knives Forks and Spoons Press, 2022). Read more 

TURNING HEADS. BRUEGEL, RUBENS AND REMBRANDT. Exhibition at the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten (KMSKA), Antwerp, Belgium, until 21 January 2024. “Artists in the Low Countries were intrigued by the human face and often depicted it. And not only in portraits. They also painted countenances where the model’s identity did not matter. Think of Quinten Metsijs’ grotesque heads, Pieter Bruegel’s peasant mugs, Peter Paul Rubens’ studies of a head and the expressive visages by Adriaan Brouwer and Rembrandt. These works, sometimes called ‘mugs’, do not represent someone but something. Not a specific person but a type, feeling, or character trait. Turning Heads (Krasse Koppen) explores the story behind these intriguing heads and showcases them in all their diversity. Rooted in innovative scholarly research, the project is translated into something light-hearted and accessible. The exhibition features a high-quality selection of some sixty works including prestigious loans of Flemish Masters (Metsijs, Bruegel, Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens and Brouwer) and leading international artists (Dürer, Bosch, Barocci, Rembrandt and Vermeer). The Antwerp Old Masters were phenomenal painters of faces. The KMSKA is therefore the ideal venue for the first major worldwide exhibition featuring these heads. After Antwerp, the exhibition travels to the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin where it will shown from 24 February to 26 May 2024.

ONLINE SEMINAR WOMEN IN REFORMATION PERIOD CHRISTIAN ART – 13 December: Women at the Centre: a Feminist Art-Theological exploration of women in Reformation Period Christian Art – Ninnaku Oberholzer (KCL). Part of the monthly programme of online seminars with postgraduate speakers as well as established scholars, chaired by Professor Sarah Jane Boss. Seminar Series: Centre for Marian Studies, Wednesdays, 3pm, online. For details and Zoom links contact info@marianstudies.ac.uk. New CMS Research Seminars (marianstudies.ac.uk)  

JONATHAN EVENS ON ARTLYST – Paula Rego And Lord Harries Respond to Art And Religion. ‘When she died, Paula Rego left a considerable legacy of religiously inspired art. While that was by no means an unusual legacy for a modern artist, Rego brought a particular perspective to her religious art – that of the female perspective on the tradition and stories. Rego’s work represents one way of responding to the Western tradition of art and religion; Richard Harries’ book ‘Majesty’ represents another. ‘Majesty’ spotlights 50 iconic paintings from the Royal Collection and a variety of renowned museums throughout the world, including The Met, MOMA, National Gallery, Vatican Museums, The Hermitage and more. With a commentary on each artwork by the former Bishop of Oxford and House of Lords life peer, the book juxtaposes important artworks – Caravaggio to Van Gogh, Raphael to Rembrandt – with quotes from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Christmas broadcasts and words of wisdom from the Gospels. Through the interplay between the Queen’s Christmas messages and paintings from the Royal Collection and beyond, ‘Majesty’ offers a new and more intimate way of knowing her faith and life through the power of art.’ Read more 

BIOGRAPHY ABOUT GWEN JOHN JUST OUT – God’s Little Artist by Sue Hubbard is a biography in verse of Welsh painter Gwen John (1876-1939). As with many female painters of the time, John’s work was often overshadowed by that of her male contemporaries, especially her brother Augustus John. God’s Little Artist is a celebration of her passionate life and work, illustrated with precision, authenticity and the keen painterly eye of the poet, novelist and art critic Sue Hubbard. In her introductory essay, Sue Hubbard discusses how the loss of Gwen John’s mother when she was a child could have impacted her later life. She was an intensely private person, with a tendency to become fixated on people and relationships, as shown in the two thousand letters she wrote to Rodin over thirteen years, and, later, in her intense commitment to her faith. For John, God and art became inextricably linked and saintliness an obsessive goal. Read more 

PODCAST OF INTERVIEW WITH CANADIAN ARTIST BETTY SPACKMAN – In this interview in Radix, Betty shares with us some of her thoughts on the importance of art in general, common misconceptions that are held about it, what it means to be creative (and she thinks we all are), as well as some ideas on how Christians can meaningfully assist in helping the arts to flourish. Also—and this is important—Betty believes in the power of kindness and hospitality, and you’ll hear it come through in the interview. Read more

CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHY – Exhibition review by Jonathan Evens on ArtLyst. “A World In Common: Contemporary African Photography at Tate Modern draws on the theories of Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe (born 1957) by inviting us to imagine “a world in common”. To do this, Mbembe claims, we must “think the world from Africa”. ‘A World In Common’ explores Africa’s past, present and future to create a more expansive and inclusive narrative of humanity. It suggests that to conceive “a world in common” is to imagine a future of possibility. Unfolding across three chapters – Identity and Tradition, Counter Histories and Imagined Futures – the exhibition charts the dialogue between photography and contemporary perspectives on cultural heritage, spirituality, urbanisation, and climate change to reveal shared artistic visions that reclaim Africa’s histories and reimagine its place in the world.” Read more

---