RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Ernest and Gregory Disney-Britton

Self Portrait (1985). Guggenheim Collection

We are conditioned to see the non-traditional messenger as evil. In doing so, are we also missing God's true messengers sent as watchmen: "For thus the Lord says to me, 'Go, station the lookout, let him report what he sees" (Isaiah 21:1-16). This week, deceased photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) made headlines as the subject of a new HBO documentary that coincides with exhibitions in Los Angeles. Raised in a strict family, Mapplethorpe was influenced by the rigid conditioning of his church, and he responded with a 1985 self-portrait (above) where he pictures himself with horns to signal the battle between God and evil. Every generation has its messengers. Question for today: Are we listening to the non-traditional watchmen of today?

For other NEWS OF WEEK from across the USA, and around the world, see below:

• Buddhist Art of Week: Buddha in a full shrine Qing [More News]
• Christian Art of Week: Robert Mapplethorpe's "Tie Rack" [More News]
• Hindu Art of Week: Tanjore painting of Goddess Lakshmi [More News]
• Islamic Art of Week: Islamic art auction in London [More News]
• Jewish Art of Week: Israel museum’s Birds’ Head Haggadah [More News]

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