RELIGIOUS ART | TALK OF WEEK
AOA NEWS
By Tahlib
"ABHAYA: AUNG SAN SUU KYI" (above) by James MacKay is one of 244 color portraits in an unprecedented new gallery show in Burma. "Abhaya" means "fearless, and is a hand gesture symbolizing peace, and dispelling fear. The gesture is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward, and originated from the fifth Buddha, Amoghasiddhi who first used it when he gained "enlightenment" and later when facing an angry elephant who was calmed by the gesture. In each of the 244 palms is written the name of a Burmese political prisoner, and for us at Alpha Omega Arts seemed a fitting way to acknowledge the freedoms we enjoy in US during this Thanksgiving week. Listed below are the other news stories of the past week from the world of religious art. The stories are grouped by the five largest faith traditions, with an additional category for other/interfaith.
BUDDHIST ART:
By Tahlib
"ABHAYA: AUNG SAN SUU KYI" (above) by James MacKay is one of 244 color portraits in an unprecedented new gallery show in Burma. "Abhaya" means "fearless, and is a hand gesture symbolizing peace, and dispelling fear. The gesture is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward, and originated from the fifth Buddha, Amoghasiddhi who first used it when he gained "enlightenment" and later when facing an angry elephant who was calmed by the gesture. In each of the 244 palms is written the name of a Burmese political prisoner, and for us at Alpha Omega Arts seemed a fitting way to acknowledge the freedoms we enjoy in US during this Thanksgiving week. Listed below are the other news stories of the past week from the world of religious art. The stories are grouped by the five largest faith traditions, with an additional category for other/interfaith.
BUDDHIST ART:
- Theme for Burmese Human Rights Exhibit is Buddhism's "Fear Not" (Bangkok Post)
- Art As A Weapon Documentary Project Features Shepard Fairey (Stupid Dope)
- Hanoi's Dream in Canada Thru December 5th (Vietnam News)
- Hindu Temple Art is Part of Story in MET's Islamic Art Galleries (The Hindu)
- Muslim Self Portraits Defy Stereotypes (Washington Post)
- Book Review: New Book Examines Relationship Between Fine Art & Islam (ABNA)
- Jordan's Nadia Dajani Creates Wearable Islamic Jewels (Arab News)
- "Art of the Arab Lands" is New Name for "Islamic Art" Gallery in NYC (Montreal Gazette)
- Houston Museum Highlights Islamic Gifting Over the Centuries (Voice of America)
- Muslim Women's Art Project of Australia Nears Ready (The Australian)
- Chagalls Synagogues up for Sale at Sothebys on Dec. 14 (Russia Today)
- Indiana University Art Museum Returns Painting to Berlin Museum (Fox News 59)
- Tiny Church Beats Cathedral for UK's Biggest Art & Faith Prize (Guardian)
- Want Catholic Art in USA? Head to Bob Jones University (Washington Post)
- Bob Jones University Questions "Fundamentalist" Label (Christian Century)
- Vatican Cracking Down on Church Art, Architecture and Music (Vatican Insider)
- VIDEO: 2011 Brehm Lectures on Art & Faith (Brehm Center)
- VIDEO: Cutting Arts in Schools is Unacceptable in Portland (Christian Today)
- Colorado Art Museum Honors Patron Saint of Artists with "Windows to the Divine" (AOA News)
- 7 Suggestions for Congregations Seeking to Launch "Arts Ministries" (AOA News)
- Activist Painter, Scott LoBaido Paints Protest of Brooklyn Museum's Art Show (AOA News)
- Nude Islamic Artist-Activist Draws More Fire Plus Some Support (Telegraph)
- Egyptian Sculptor & Performance Artist Stages “Baptism in Black" (ArtInfo)
- Three Faiths in Art at London's RED Gallery (Independent Catholic News)
- VIDEO: Atheists Launch Campaign to Get Unbelievers to ‘Come Out’ (AOA News)
Comments
Government opposition leader/and political prisoner for 10 yrs, AUNG SAN SUU KYI's name is now being mentioned throughout the country's news media, and her name and image are featured in this art show. This gallery show and others including Shepard Fairey's new documentary hopefully reflect changing attitudes in this country.
Additionally, thank you for pointing out the lesson for non-Buddhists about the hand gesture, "Abhaya" including its uses and origins. I am sure few non-Buddhists including myself, and perhaps even some Buddhists were aware of this religious history.
Lastly, according to Wiki, Burma is the 40th largest country in the world and the second largest country in Southeast Asia. Burma is also the 24th most populous country in the world with over 58.8 million people. In a nation of 57 million people, There are over 53.42 million Buddhists (89%), over 2.98 million Christians, over 2.27 million Muslims, over 0.3 million Hindus and over 0.79 million of those who believe in other religions in the country.