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Disturbing Art May Keep Christ from Becoming Kitsch

BRISBANE JOURNAL
By Andrew Taylor
Inspired by a childhood drawing ...
a scene from Warwick Thornton's 3D video artwork.
AUSTRALIA - Why can't artists leave Jesus alone? Especially when he's in agony and about to die from being nailed to a cross. The latest artistic crucifixion is by the indigenous filmmaker Warwick Thornton, who nails himself to a fluorescent cross floating above a desert landscape. ''I know Thornton's work and he sympathetically uses the symbolism to say something about Aboriginal identity,'' Dr Rod Pattenden, the chairman of the Blake Prize for religious art, said. ''I understand he identifies as a Christian.'' Pattenden said artists such as Serrano, Roberts and Thornton prevent the story of Christ becoming kitsch. ''Because I work in the church I know that images lose their effect and power when they become familiar.'' [link]
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Rev. Rod Pattenden said…
One of the central realities of the crucifixion is its essentially shocking nature. It is by essence scandalous and controversial. It is not neat, tidy and domestic. It is a figure bleeding in utter agony - how can this be God?
Sun Sep 04, 06:37:00 AM EDT
Ernest Britton said…
My faith journey leds me to seek opportunities in art that are "Pure versus the Comforting." Comforting art is very easy to react to. It doesn't challenge, and there are certainly many times when I don't want to be challenged, but instead affirmed, but to grow spiritually, I know I must be challenged regularly--but not constantly. Warner Salman's popular "Portrait of Jesus" is comforting religious artwork, but so is Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ" because they both prompt easy reactions and opinions. They are obvious, and there is too much religious art that is obvious. I like Sister Wendy Becket's suggestion that, "The real art makes demands." I seek out religious art that causes me to question assumptions and comforts. I seek religious art that helps me to grow in my faith, and the daily challenge is to find such "pure" versus comforting art opportunities for growth. I suspect Thornton's work may be one of those opportunities to grow through a challenging experience with religious art.
Sun Sep 04, 07:19:00 AM EDT
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