Artist, Tom Torluemke Brings His Contemporary View of the Nativity to Indianapolis

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Birth of Jesus" (2010) acrylic on wood, 42" x 24" x 18"

INDIANA---Chicago-native, Tom Torluemke isn't afraid to look at his Christianity differently than others in his tradition, including the birth of Jesus. His "Birth of Jesus" is one of the show-stopping works now on display this November as part of the 2013 Spirit & Place Festival in Indianapolis. "It's not your Sunday school illustration of the story" explains Gregory Disney-Britton, chair of Alpha Omega Arts. "The focus is on the halo, the birth canal, and a pierced heart of a mother," he says. "It's very much a postmodern illustration of the Nativity." Torluemke is one of 30 artists showcased in the Alpha & Omega: Religious Risks inaugural exhibition about religious risk this month, Disney-Britton says. Tom is also featured in a concurrent local solo-show at Mount Comfort Gallery. "Birth of Jesus" will remain on view through Nov. 29 at Indiana Interchurch Center's IIC Gallery along with a wide range of other artist works including photography, paintings, sculptures, textiles, and a light installation. Each is highly distinctive, although each has a religious integrity.

You can thank Tom, and the other artists for taking a risk with religious imagination, by making a gift to the Alpha Omega Prize: Artist Fund via power2give.org.