2013 A&O Prize for Artwork of Year: "Golden Sea” by Makoto Fujimura

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Artist Makoto Fujimura

NEW YORK---The chair, Gregory Disney-Britton, the board, and the members of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts are pleased to announce the 2013 inductee for artwork of the year: "Golden Sea". Created by Makoto Fujimura, the selection honors the work of contemporary religious art that had the greatest influence in bridging the art vs. religion divide in the United States during the past year. "Throughout human history, religions and art have been joined as part of the wider quest for meaning. "Golden Sea" shows why we need both," said chairman Disney-Britton. Featured this past May at Manhattan's Dillon Gallery, the "Golden Sea" exhibition of new works, coincided with publication of Fujimura's first retrospective monograph, as well as a biographical documentary.

INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month: Dan Cooper

"Science, particularly theoretical physics, 
intertwines with my experience and faith." 
~DAN COOPER

By Ernest Disney-Britton

When the Board of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts decided to launch an inaugural exhibition featuring works by Hoosiers, Dan Cooper was one of those at the top of the list. There is one Methodist on the board, and he wanted to include a Believer whose work would help to introduce part of the history of that tradition, but to do it in a non-traditional way. Dan's work does just that. Methodists are a denomination that came out of the Protestant Reformation, and is characterized by its emphasis on the average person. I think Dan's work does that well. It's an honor to share his story, and his work as an INSPIRE ME! Artist for 2013.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Tony Melendez

"What else would I do if not this?" 

~ TONY MELENDEZ

"The Annunciation -- Me?" 24 x 30" - acrylic on canvas

By Ernest Disney-Britton

All my friends are artists or creatives, and one of those I admire most is Arsenio "Tony" Melendez, our October 2013 A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month. When he submitted his entry "The Annunciation - Me?" (above) to the "Alpha & Omega: Religious Risks" exhibition, he wrote: "This work reveals Mary's role in the realization of a saviour into the world. This meeting represents her risk in proclaiming "yes" to the angel Gabriel, it represents Her risk in accepting "unrealistic" terms, and Her risk in bringing into the world, the only person who could cause her grief that would never before be known to man." Enough said?

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Erling Hope

To labor in this field is to be apologist 
for religion and contemporary art, by turns.

~ ERLING HOPE

By Ernest Disney-Britton

The places we select for worship are special places, by choice and by design, which is why I am excited to introduce Erling Hope, as our August 2013 A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month. He believes, "The quality of our prayer, the depth of our communion, even--by extension--the candor of our fellowship, are all influenced by our physical surroundings in subtle but inescapable ways." Hope (What a great name for an artist) creates liturgical art and furnishings that inhabit these spaces.  Quaker and third-generation artisan, in 1989 this award-winning artist and designer established Hope Liturgical Works.

INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month: John Robertson

I imitate my Creator whenever I create art.

~ JOHN M. ROBERTSON

By Ernest Disney-Britton

I met John Robertson on Twitter. He's a mixed-media artist who loves God & art, and is also co-director of Imago Houston, a group organized for Christian artists and art lovers. While all our previous INSPIRE ME! Artists are full-time, John is a departure from that norm because his day-job is as a pediatric pulmonologist who can't stop creating artwork based on Christian themes, and linking his Christian-themed poetry and uniquely appropriate frames. We were quite taken by this unusual combination of faith and talent, and that makes Dr. John, our INSPIRE ME! Artist of the Month for February 2013. I hope you enjoy meeting him even half as much as I have.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Caravaggio

"I am still alive."

~ CARAVAGGIO

"Behold the Man" (1606)

By TAHLIB

If we'd lived near one another, I would hope to have befriended Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, the dark, dangerous and mysterious artist whose dramatic painting style changed not only the world of art, but also how Christians experience their faith.  Since we weren't neighbors, I had to count on other methods to introduce you to my dear but excitable friend---a true master of religious art, Caravaggio the A&O November 2012 INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Chris Koelle

"signals of truth, beauty, and goodness"
~ CHRIS KOELLE

"Call His Name Immanuel"

By Ernest Disney-Britton

When I first encountered the work of South Carolina artist Chris Koelle on Twitter, I was stunned. It was a video promotion for his "Book of Job," and I cried. I didn't cry just upon one viewing, but upon repeated viewings before I could even share it with anyone else. His imagery drove a path into my soul, and cracked open a piece of me. I am better as a result. Soon afterward, I was smiling with admiration as I watched him creating in his studio/home. To this day, I feel blessed to have met Chris Koelle. I know you will enjoy meeting him too: Chris Koelle, INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Vincent Van Gogh

I am still far from being what I want to be, 

but with God's help I shall succeed.

~ VAN GOGH

By TAHLIB

Do you know Vincent Van Gogh? Did you know he painted the bible above? Did you know he was a Methodist minister before becoming a full-time artist? In a letter dated 1876 to his brother Theo, he wrote that God has sent me to preach the Gospel to the poor. After a few years, he found his true calling, to paint the road to spiritual salvation. I have found Van Gogh's paintings to be moral-religious drama even when depicting the spiritual solitude within nature. When he left the organized ministry, he left angry and wrote, "Oh, I am no friend of the present Christianity, though its founder was sublime" and he described Jesus as "the supreme artist.", more of an artist than all others, disdaining marble and clay and color, working in the living flesh." Van Gogh the minister might be an artist you've never met, A&O is honored to introduce you to Rev. Vincent Van Gogh, INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month:

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Flora Rosefsky

My “folk art” style of illustration evolved from simple doodling 

or sketching family members when my children were very young.  

~ FLORA ROSEFSKY

"Self Portrait" by Flora Rosefsky. Paper Cutout

By Ernest Disney-Britton

Flora Rosefsky lives in Georgia, but I found out about her through NYC's Jewish Art Salon, which is a credit not only to Flora but also to the networking of this community of artists. I guess it would be more accurate to say that Flora found us, and I think you will be thrilled with this discovery. Flora's mixed-media collages, including the self-portrait above are often inspired by her Jewish heritage and interweaves her secular world with a unique spirituality. A&O is proud to introduce you to a great believer and creator, Flora Rosefsky, INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, William Blake

""I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Man's.
I will not Reason & Compare; my business is to Create."

~ WILLIAM BLAKE

"Angel of the Revelation" by William Blake

By TAHLIB

He was considered crazy by the cultural elites of his day, William Blake (1757 – 1827) an English painter, printmaker, and poet. Today, he is widely considered one of England's larger than life figures in the world of religious art, and he is also the inspiration for Australia's controversial Blake Prize for Religious Art. William Blake's obsession with the religious comes through richly in his work, and his expressiveness and creativity have inspired generations of artists ever since. If you've not been introduced before, A&O is excited to introduce you to William Blake, INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Andrew Kosorok

"The power of reason and the
gifts of inspiration complement each other."
~ ANDREW KOSOROK

"4 Crowned Martyrs" by Andrew Kosorok

By Ernest Disney-Britton

I am thrilled to introduce you to Andrew Kosorok, the INSPIRE ME! artist for June 2012. Seldom have I found a Religious Artist who so openly embraces the exploration of differing faiths both theologically and in their art practice as much as this Christian who also explores Islam. His work epitomizes what we attempt to do here at A&O which is to mine our own truths through understanding of "the other" through art. Perhaps it's his engineering trained mind but he obviously likes to know how things work, and that includes his gift of spirituality. I hope you will love his work as much, or more than I have come to love it too.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Salvador Dali

"God is just another artist, like me."

~ SALVADOR DALI

"Madonna of Port Lligat" (1950)

By TAHLIB

On May 11, the museum world will celebrate the birthday of Salvador Dali, a Surrealist and a provocateur, but was he really a Religious Artist? That is not for any of us to judge but there is no doubt that he produced some of the most powerful Religious paintings of recent times. Far better known than Thomas Kinkade will ever be, he aspired to the heights of Walt Disney for name recognition, and at times it seemed he would do anything to get attention including adopting that amazing mustache (which I envy). But unlike some imitators, Dali had immeasurable talent and he produced great works which were hungrily collected by individuals and institutions around the world, including the Vatican even though there was good reason to doubt his religious fervor.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Yona Verwer

A common misunderstanding is that
people equate religious art with cliches.

~ YONA VERWER

"Yehuda #1" (2001) oil on canvas

By Ernest Disney-Britton

If it's possible to develop a friendship on Twitter, I've done it with Dutch-born NY artist Yona Verwer. There is a patient magical quality in her tweets, and that same tone is reflected in her captivatingly magical artworks that include, amulets, portraits, streetscapes, etc. She is a Believer, who understands the loneliness of those who share the passion for religious art, and through her work she soothingly sews the seeds of belief, mystery and tranquility through a contemporary lens. I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do.

INSPIRE ME! Calling all Religious Artists

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Art lovers, especially people of faith, want to know the inspiration for truly imaginative works of fine art. Are you willing to share them? This is your chance! The process is simple: Answer seven questions (25-50 words each) and send images as illustration of those answers. You will then be added to the "US Artists"  roster; be profiled as the A&O Artist of the Month; and a permanent link will be added linking your website site to ours. We will also track news stories about you, and your artwork to include them on the blogsite. Interested? Here's the format:

1. What is your faith tradition, and where did you develop into an artist who explores religion?
2. How do you describe your art? What style or genre is it?
3. Have you ever had to defend exploring religious themes?
4. What do your collectors say about your work?
5. Who would you like to collect your work, and why?
6. What artists have influenced your style?
7. Where can A&O readers find other artists like yourself?

Remember to include a jpeg of artworks for each question, plus your own photo (7 is the magic number), and send it to me at "tahlib(a)aol.com", and please keep your writing in first-person to keep the interview personal, and inspirational!

PS. Adding a head shot in your studio helps A&O readers make that personal connection too. If you forget, I will follow-up to make the ask.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Todd Fox

I didn’t just decide to paint
on the Passion on my own. It was a calling.
~ TODD DAYTON FOX 

By Ernest Disney-Britton

When I first glimpsed Todd Dayton Fox's series: "Portraits of the Passion", I was stunned with absolute excitement for what I experienced. In the tradition of Surrealists, such as Salvador Dali (and also Walt Disney), Todd turns a story we Christians know so well, and creates a uniquely different dream-like journey from it. It's the kind of visual journey that makes you "re-think" what you thought you already knew. Todd has gone through his own set of challenges during his journey, but his faith in God, unique imagination, and creator spirit makes this Midwestern talent, the INSPIRE ME! Artist of the Month for March 2012.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Charles Tripp

All these are about engaging God.

~ PASTOR C.T. TRIPP

Garden of Eden from the Seven Jacket Messiah series

By Ernest Disney-Britton

On Saturday, April 7, 2012 (Easter Weekend), Pastor Charles Tripp, Sr, artist-in-residence at the Indiana Interchurch Center brings to triumphant close, a 3-part exhibition entitled, "Personal Journeys." His art is a reflection of his personal sojourn, as the son of a Pastor, and a current Pastor. As a husband and brother, and as a father and as a artist. With a creative foundation firmly laid with great Baptist hymns played by his mother and training at Jackson State University and Sangamon State University, he has a powerful story to share in this enlightening exhibition, "Seven Jacket Messiah: Gathering of Sentinals."

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Leonardo da Vinci

"I have offended God and mankind
because my work didn't reach the quality it should have."

~ LEONARDO DA VINCI

"The Last Supper" painted onto a wall at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy

By TAHLIB

Born April 15, Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) is universally regarded (except by Michelangelo) as one of the greatest of all Religious artists. By who is the man? Every other month, or so, I take a fictional journey it the past for a dialogue with one of the world's great religious arts masters. By starting off 2012 with Leonardo da Vinci, I am giving a nod to the wonderful show in London (which I missed). The interview format is simple: I ask seven questions, and below each are seven answers from the great one plus images for illustratration. Next month, Ernest Britton (Indianapolis) returns with contemporary artists.

INSPIRE ME! Artist, Teresa Mas

"I trust my God within, to guide me,
talk to me, remind me and teach me."
~ TERESA MAS

Krishna and Parvati

By Ernest Disney-Britton

Teresa Mas is a true American Creator Spirit. Her works are inward journeys of self-discovery filled with the unexpected at every corner. With a highly developed technique, she creates acrylic paintings often mixed with collages of surprises--imagery and details of surprises! A world traveler and follower of Hinduism, she studied art in Miami, Florida and also Spain. Teresa's paintings are fresh, colorful, full of light and in a word, so "beautiful" you are seduced by her creations and can't wait to discover more about her Hindu faith. Alpha Omega Arts is proud to feature her as the INSPIRE ME! Artist of the Month: December 2011.

A&O Prize (2011): INSPIRE ME! Banksy & LA Students

"...the ability to spark constructive dialogue
(as well as inevitable controversy) across multiple communities including believers..., and folks otherwise not tuned into art...."
~ DR. TONYA MATTHEWS

"Stained Window" (2011) by LA Student Artists & Banksy

By Tahlib

The readers of Alpha Omega Arts have spoken, and overwhelmingly picked "Stained Glass" as the winner of the 4th annual Alpha & Omega Prize for Contemporary Religious Art. Created by Banksy and a group of 54 California high school students, the 2011 work depicts a lone figure at prayer surrounded by a church window of graffiti, and offers a rare and privileged insight into the creation of street art as well as Christian worship in urban America. Dr. Tonya Matthews, of the Cincinnati Museum Center credited this work for "the ability to spark constructive dialogue (as well as inevitable controversy) across multiple communities including believers, art lovers, random teenagers, and folks otherwise not tuned into art or religion...." While obviously the vote was not unanimous, and who would expect that? It was overwhelming weighted towards Stained Glass. On behalf of the readers, the board members and supporters of Alpha Omega Arts, we thank Banksy and his legion of 54 high school art students for creating the 2011 Religious Art: Talk of the Year. [link]

INSPIRE ME! Artist, William Shakespeare's Jewish Justice

By Charlie Goetz

Last season, actor Al Pacino, who'd made the documentary Looking for Richard about his rehearsal of Shakespeare's Richard III, continued his flirtation with the Bard with his portrayal in New York of Shylock, the Jewish money-lender in The Merchant of Venice.

Pacino was praised for his sincerity if not for his ability to become truly part of a Shakespeare ensemble. And, inevitably, the play itself came in for comment about its supposed lack of political correctness.

Will Shakespeare lived in a time of rampant anti-Semitism and Shylock's villainy has often been thought to play into that reprehensible social reality. But does it? And is Shakespeare really as anti-Semitic as so many of his contemporaries? (See Christopher Marlowe's rabid The Jew of Malta.)