RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By TAHLIB

The truth was spoken this weekend, as 500 million Orthodox Christians worldwide observed their Good Friday and Easter; but which truth? On Friday night, I witnessed a Broadway version in a 90-minute Passion play delivered by Mary (Fiona Shaw) the mother of Jesus Christ in "The Testament of Mary." Condemned as blasphemous by Roman Catholic activists, it was praised by Catholic priest Fr. Edward Beck who wrote "I have never experienced it [the story] as deeply." As Orthodox Christians conclude their Easter observance today, Broadway's searing yet beautiful version also closes but with a Tony Award nomination for Best Play, and that makes this masterwork our NEWS OF WEEK.

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:

• Buddhism in Art: Thiraphan Lorphaibul puts Buddhist teachings onto canvas. [More News]
• Christianity in Art: Keith Haring is named INSPIRE ME! Artist for May 2013. [More News]
• Hinduism in Art: Sudarsan Pattnaik wins Russian art prize for Ganesha sculpture. [More News]
• Islam in Art: Online art exhibit challenges stereotypes of Muslim women. [More News]
• Judaism in Art: James Wille Faust unveils new works at JCC Indianapolis [More News]

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