RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By TAHLIB

SIX years ago, in NYC's trendy Lincoln Center area, I discovered the contemporary design of the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA), and it is my NEWS OF WEEK. The museum is a leader in today's movement of world-class art explorations of religious ideas by museums and galleries, and it's happening in NYC, Indianapolis, and across the country. This week, MOBIA named a new director (it's second); opened a new exhibit in NYC; and welcomed visitors in Memphis to its African American religious art exhibit with works such as Jared Small's “The Good Samaritan” (above). After decades of art world skepticism, what do you credit for this renewal of interest in religious art?

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

• Buddhist Art of Week: Monks construct sand mandala at Hancock College. [More News]
• Christian Art of Week: Felix Gonzalez-Torres' spilled candies in London. [More News]
• Hindu Art of Week: Art or artifact? Museum curation and objectifying Hinduism. [More News]
• Islamic Art of Week: The "Hajj" through eyes of a Museum of Islamic Art. [More News]
• Judaic Art of Week: Sacred Voices of different faiths at Canton Museum of Art. [More News]

It's more than Art. It's Religion. We are believers (and skeptics too), united in the search for human meaning through art from the religious imagination. We believe in the artists and craftsman who dare to explore religious themes through their creativity. When you believe, you join other believers. Some of us join as voting members of the A&O Society; others support the A&O Prize - Youth Scholarships as donors; and most subscribe to this "free" weekly newsletter (or follow on: Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook or Soundcloud). All are welcome.