the symbolic nature of this form of spirituality

•symbols can convey their religious beliefs 

•the symbols can produce a spiritual response that makes them think more deeply 

•it may not be religiously intended but we can draw religious truths from pieces of art

•art will show going on beyond materialistic values and the 5 senses 

•it may go beyond all religions but it contains all religions 

•relates to a personal search at the deeper significance of life 

what does religious art tell us – about God, about belief, about the artist

•about God 

          •the fact that some are inspired shows that God exists 

          •God causes them to be creative 

          •the beauty of God’s creation causes them to express this beauty through art

          •see it as God’s expression of spirituality 

          •shows the beauty of God’s message 

          

•about belief

          •shows how they should be used in practice 

          •may show important historical events of the religion

          •we can learn about the religion in the past and use the knowledge to look forward

          •emphasises the longevity of the religion and how different people believe the same thing 

          •the reminders help us to challenge our beliefs 

•about the artist 

          •if it was commission, then they did it only for the money

          •may express their religious beliefs 

          •inspired by their religion to create some artwork 

          •wants to reveal the most important aspects of the religion to them

          •may want to inspire others about their religion and have an impact on those who see it 

what impact does religious art have on those looking on – believers and non-believers?

•impact on people as a whole 

          •make people think about God 

          •hopes that people think about the religious message behind it 

          •may put some people off religion if the message is unacceptable

          •can cause numinous feelings in people with a greater feeling and sense of wonder 

          •may generate shock and a sense of appreciation for the work 

          •can cause others to show their own revelation or act of devotion since they are inspired 

•impact on believers 

          •understand the message it contains 

          •have a emotional response since it is personal 

          •makes them think more deeply about their religion 

          •may bring feelings of joy, realising how great their religion is 

          •cause offence if they feel is blasphemous 

•impact on non-believers 

          •may be angry if they disagree with the views and if it’s imposed 

          •may realise that the image is further proof that God does not exist 

          •may shock them e.g graffiti 

          •may cause them to realise that they have the same spiritual beliefs 

          •may inspire others to follow the same religious path 

how is religious art used in worship (public and / or private)

•use in public

          •animals and humans are portrayed

          •direct believers to the central beliefs of the religion 

          •they remind teachings and may be put into practice 

          •some have simple designs e.g Judaism to focus on the true meaning 

          •a painting above an altar reminds Christ’s sacrifice but won’t use idols 

          

•use in private

          •usually done at home

          •can tailor their artwork to their specific needs at home

          •may feel closer to God than with loads of people

          •can communicate more directly and be personal 

          •this may allow them to get a closer understanding of the meaning of life

          •may have shrines to aid in prayer 

how and why religions use art

•devotion 

          •takes effort and shows how we are willing to work hard for God

          •importance is shown through their beauty 

          •the importance may be shown through decoration 

          •want to prove to themselves how big a part of their life God is 

          •a reminder to what they should be focused on in their lives 

•teaching aid 

          •it breaks the boundaries of languages 

          •help believers to visually understand 

          •often outline a life, with an appropriate amount of detail as well as speed 

          •illustrate religious teachings or an aspect of a Holy person’s life 

          •can visually put yourself in the stories 

          •can emphasis the overall tone of the piece instantly 

•aiding prayer

          •people pray though icons 

          •can help people focus their mind 

          •symbolism and simplicity of striking images calls for self-reflection          

          •allows our minds to delve into deeper meaning and helps traps our minds 

          •helps to focus through isolation 

•makes others aware

          •uses exterior symbols to show others as it can be identified easier 

          •shows the importance of belief 

          •want to prove to others their dedication for their religion 

          •may be used as propaganda for their religion 

          

•why religions use art 

          •effective at expressing a spiritual message 

          •can immediately convey the message in the art

          •displays their religion better to others 

          •use the ideas to expand on their thinking about the religion 

          •use it to express their love of God 

          •a way of spreading a religious message to others quickly and effectively 

          •they allow people the opportunity to convert 

          •may use art for prayer, teaching and an act of devotion

different types of art and examples of each of the following: icons, painting, calligraphy, graffiti, sculpture

•icons - Icon of Saint Peter 

•has two keys to Heaven and Hell

•authority as he’s the leader of the apostles 

•authority to absolve sins 

•shepherds staff shows chief shepherd of Jesus’s flock 

•upside down cross shows unworthy crucifixion 

•rock jutting out to sea because it shows Peter is the rock upon where the church is built 

•painting - Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son 

•religious and spiritual painting, used for meditation and

 complementation 

•shows forgiveness, allowing viewers to spend time reflecting on

 what is meant being human etc. 

•older brother shows displease with folded hands in front of chest,

 looking down 

•grey beard shows following of his father and is on a step

•father shows forgiveness with a beard for wisdom, holding him like

 at the hands of God 

•calligraphy - Tracy Emin’s For You 

•shows her numinous experience 

•pink writing in a church, showing intimacy and romance as well as babies 

•simplistic and effective, offering self-contemplation for readers 

•a modern and emptive approach to an archaic topic 

•handwriting style shows a personal approach 

•glowing shows life and supernatural nature of God 

•graffiti - Camer1’s Nature Calls 

•deep messages are engraved into the graffiti 

•animals etc. and wildlife for Adam and Eve 

•shows society how we are ignoring the importance of creation and nature

•offers diversity and surprise as graffiti is normally negative 

•they feel so strongly at a given moment and need to express it 

•sculpture - Jacob Epstein’s Jacob and the Angel 

•from ‘Jacob and Esor’ 

•the angel is wrestling Jacob’s identity

•spirit holding Jacob up as he is special 

•God is here for us even through the most difficult times and we may struggle

•real growth experiences always comes with struggle and pain

how is it produced – inspiration, revelation or devotion?

•inspiration: •the artist may have a sudden idea 

                    •may wish to draw out new experiences 

                    •God has inspired them - divine inspiration 

                    •has an idea of how a piece should look 

                    •wants to express his version of other works 

•revelation: •becomes aware of a spiritual truth 

                   •they wish to share their new-found ideas with others 

                   •realise a greater meaning and is excited to share with others 

•devotion: •want to show their devotion to their religion 

                 •aid concentration during prayer and meditation 

                 •want to shoe their seriousness of their beliefs 

                 •want to prove a high level of commitment 

                 •may take a long-time and be intricate 

                 •people’s lives may revolve around pieces of artwork 

what is religious art

•it tries to express a spiritual message in some way - including sculptures, paintings and drawings

•may convey a religious message, be produced by a religious person or be paid by a religious community etc. 

•to make people think about God / reflect upon spiritual ideas

•to convey a religious teaching 

•to express a religious belief about the meaning of life 

•to help people understand spiritual truths / to aid worships