Indigenous Jesus: 2014

Monday, December 29, 2014

Entire Collection of Smithsonian's Asian Art Museum Online January 1, 2015

Debra Diamond, exhibition curator and Curator of South and Southeast Asian art,
gives a tour during a press preview of a 2013 exhibition at the Smithsonian's
Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C.

From BLOUIN ARTINFO:

The 40,000-plus items in the Smithsonian’s DC museums of Asian art, the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, will be available online starting on January 1, 2015. The high-resolution images will be accessible to all, without copyright restrictions for non-commercial use, an act director Julian Raby deemed “part of the democratization of art.” Many of the works — approximately 78 percent according to the Washington Post, or 35,000 according to The Art Newspaper — have never been seen by the public. [WP, TAN]

Thursday, December 25, 2014

A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story

One final Christmas Day post!

I had begun writing a longer post about this earlier this month, but apparently lost it before saving it. Anyway, I wanted to get this online during the Christmas season.

The Birth of the Chosen One is a forty-four page paraphrase of the story of Jesus' birth taken from Matthew and Luke. The text is taken from the First Nations Version Project (FNV) by Terry Wildman. Terry is of Ojibwe (Chippewa) and Yaqui ancestry. He is a recording artist, songwriter, storyteller, speaker and published writer. Terry is also the "Chief" of Rain Ministries, a nonprofit organization based in Arizona. Since the year 2000 as "RainSong" he and his wife Darlene have invested their lives in sharing the message of Jesus with Native Americans.

The book's child-like illustrations were created by artist Ramone Romero of Cherokee and Aztec ancestry. To see more examples of his artwork for the FNV, click here.

Indigenous Christmas Images

Photo: © Karen Elwell 2013

Engraved tree gourd from Pinotepa de Don Luis, Oaxaca. This is the work of master carver Antonio Guzman Hernandez.

Storyboard depicting Nativity, Keram River, Papua New Guinea

Mawalan Marika (1908-67), Nativity. C. 1964.

Martina Parry, Nativity. 1993.

Aboriginal Stained glass window located in New Norcia, WA

Monday, December 15, 2014

"Challenges in Conducting a Christian Art Exhibition in India" by Paul Kattukaran

The coordinator of Indian Christian Artists’ Forum, Art-i, Fr Paul Kattukaran (r)
presents an Indian image of Christ "My Guru" done by the late Goan artist
Angelo da Fonseca to Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao as a
token of inculturating Christian faith in India.

For reflections on the challenges that have faced the Indian Christian Art Exhibition mentioned in my last entry, click here. The post's author is Paul Kattukaran, the Coordinator of the Indian Christian Artists’ Forum (Art-i). For a news story about the opening of the exhibition (pictured above), click here.

Despite several setbacks, Kattukaran writes:

With all the challenges, the exhibition of Indian Christian Art in Old Goa is a success on different counts; first of all most Goan Christians and many at the national level came to know of the exhibition through the print media and internet, especially UCAN news. Secondly, this exhibition inaugurated and blessed by the Archbishop of Goa has become a stepping stone for Christian Art ministry in Goa and India.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Indian Christian Art Exhibition Opens in Goa, India

Angelo da Fonseca, Ecce Homo. 33x48cm

From the Times of India:

Goan artists bridged Christianity and eastern religions: ArchbishopTNN | Nov 26, 2014, 02.13AM IST

OLD GOA: Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao inaugurated the Indian Christian Art Exhibition at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Archiepiscopal palace chapel, Se Cathedral premises, Old Goa.

"This inter-religious dialogue was actively promoted by the likes of Angelo da Fonseca and Angela Trindade, both from Goa through their art, a bridge of understanding between Christianity and eastern, particularly, Indian religions," the archbishop said.

The exhibition highlights the images created by the late Goan artists Angelo da Fonseca and Angela Trindade, apart from Alfred Thomas, Sr Genevieve SMMI and Sr Claire SMMI. The exhibition is conducted by Art-i, Christian Artists' Forum, Art-i established by the Office for Social Communications, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Delhi.

Fr Dominic Alvares SFX welcoming the archbishop and the dignitaries, said that the Indian Christian Artists' Forum has found a great patron in Ferrao in promoting the Indian images of Christ and the Goa archdiocese should lead other dioceses of India in promoting Indian Christian Art.

The co-ordinator of Indian Christian Artists' Forum, Art-i, Fr Paul Kattukaran presented an Indian image of Christ "My Guru" done by the late Goan artist Angelo da Fonseca as a token of inculturating Christian faith in India.

The exhibition will be open from 9am to 7pm everyday till the last day of the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of Saint Francis Xavier; January 4, 2015.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Ghanaian Jesus

Great image of a Ghanaian Jesus from Curious Christian, though I can't find any further information about it or the artist. Please pray for Ghana and the rest of west Africa, that the Ebola crisis will be brought under control and lives saved. As Ghana suffers, so does Christ.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

SouthWorld Article: The variety of Ethiopian crosses

Here's a short article from Southworld called "The Variety of Ethiopian Crosses." It's a very brief review, but worth reading if you want to gain a basic understanding of the three forms of Ethiopian crosses. One can also read a related article, "Ethiopia. The cross: symbol of a country", which discusses the importance of the cross to Ethiopian history and some historical cross variations and their symbolic associations/origins.

Southworld web magazine is produced by the Comboni Missionaries, an international Congregation of Roman Catholic Religious working in forty-two countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Orality Strategies - The Storying Gourd

The Storying Gourd, Peru.

In a traditional Peruvian art form, artists hand carve scenes onto a gourd. Several of them were on display in a particular artisan shop. A Christian worker had been storying with the shop's owner and he asked her about the carved gourds. She said that her father is one of the people who makes these beautiful gourds. The Christian worker told her the Creation to Church story and asked her if she could have her father make one of these gourds depicting that story. The shop owner told her father the story and drew the scenes out on a piece of paper. He carved a gourd to depict this story.

Using local art forms is an effective way to connect Scripture to the traditional culture. It's also an incentive for artists to learn and contemplate biblical truth. Scripture enters their imagination and the imagination of people who see their artwork, which becomes a ready conversation-starter for talking about the stories of Jesus.

For more on orality, read "What is Orality?" on Orality Strategies' website, plus lots of other great info there.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Can Christians celebrate Diwali?

Here's some food for thought regarding the Hindu holiday Diwali, which is celebrated this year on October 24: the Morman-owned news organization Deseret News asks: "Can Christians celebrate Diwali?" It describes various opinions regarding an altered, Christocentric version based loosely on some of the holiday's major themes (light vs. darkness, etc.). I'm not taking a position on this article, just offering it as something to generate thoughts and discussions.

You can see my previous posts about contextualizing aspects of Diwali here and here.

Monday, October 20, 2014

The Jesus Question: Is giving Christ African features heretical, or at the very least neglectful?

Please head over to The Jesus Question for the introductory post on a book called African Theology in Images by Martin Ott, a 600-page exploration of the African Christian art that has come out of the KuNgoni Art Craft Centre in Mua, Malawi. This is the first of several posts that blogger Victoria Emily Jones plans to write about this important book. If you're interested at all in African art, Christianity, and contextualization, then please follow the rest of her thought-provoking posts about this book. And the rest of her blog is great as well!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Angelo da Fonseca: Portrait of an Eclectic Genius

Vivek Menezes reviews an article by Rupert Arrowsmith in the current issue of Art India magazine about the legacy of one of India's greatest Christian artists, Angelo da Fonseca.

Menezes writes:

Until his death in 1967, [da Fonseca] painstakingly created a magnificent oeuvre of uniquely cross-cultural paintings that are among the most remarkable contributions to 20th century art from any painter, anywhere in the world.

But until 2014, the artist's reputation never caught up to his achievement. As Arrowsmith notes in 'Portrait of an Eclectic Genius', "it is very telling that Angelo da Fonseca...has needed to wait until this year for his first ever inclusion in a survey of the Indian 20th century icons."

Steve Taylor's Pukehinahina Cross Call to Worship

Please Note: All posts on this blog are intended for informational purposes only, not as an evaluation or endorsement of any artist, art form, organization or website. If you have concerns about the accuracy of any information presented please contact the author at hmsarthistorian@gmail.com.

I found this 2012 Pukehinahina Cross Call to Worship posted at sustain:if:able kiwi, the blog of Steve Taylor. He is currently the Principal of Uniting College for Leadership and Theology in South Australia and the author of The Out of Bounds Church? Learning to Create a Community of Faith in a Culture of Change. He also writes monthly film reviews for Touchstone and has blogged regularly since 2002.

The following are his posts from June 13, 2012 and June 20, 2012:

June 13, 2012
a contextual visual for mission 2
Other visual theologies of mission here and here.

Pukehinahina Cross, St Georges Anglican Church,
Gate Pa, New Zealand. Used with permission.

Carved by James Tapiata for St Georges Anglican Church at Gate Pa. Used by permission. Not to be used in any form without permission from St Georges.

The greenstone Maori fish hook is entwined around the cross, to remember Christ’s mission as a fisher of people and to show the ties between two people – Maori and Pakeha. Greenstone is of immense importance in Maori culture, both spiritually and historically. Although not stated on the church website, the fish hook is likely to reference “Hei-Matau”, a common Maori carving pattern, in which fishing was simply a way of gathering food. In this context, it would symbolise prosperity, determination, leadership and good health, as well as safe journey over water.

June 20, 2012
Finding words for worship

I’ve been asked to provide a call to worship at the Church Synod on Friday evening. My general rule of thumb is to work with what’s engaging me. Last week I posted this,

Pukehinahina Cross, St Georges Anglican Church,
Gate Pa, New Zealand. Used with permission.

Which, with a bit of research, over the weekend I have shaped into the following Call to worship -

Leader: The cross,
offering reconciliation, making enemies friends,
All: May we, reconciled and reconciling, feel again Your call to mercy

Leader: The greenstone,
an item of treasure and value in Maori culture
All: May we, Your treasures in earthen clay, hear afresh Your call to value each other

Leader: The fishhook, carved in reference to Jesus invitation,
Come follow me: I will make you fishers of people
All: May we, Your fisher folk, experience anew Your call to mission

Leader: The fishhook, a pattern commonly carved in Maori culture
a symbol for a journey, speaking of the need for shared courage, wise leadership and safety in troubled times
All: May we, Your pilgrim people, find together new courage, wise leadership and surprising joy,

Leader: In our shared journey, Shaped always by this cross of Christ. Amen

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Beatus: The Spanish Apocalypse

Beatus: The Spanish Apocalypse

(2014, 85 minutes)
Director: Murray Grigor

In about 776 the Spanish monk Beatus compiled his commentary on the Apocalypse in order to prepare his fellow monks for the end of time. In this world premiere screening, scholar John Williams examines the Beatus tradition, preserved in illustrated examples dating from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Their brilliant and provocative illustrations resonate to this day, and will be featured in the film, as will the monasteries that created them. Presented by MUSE Film and Television; Hamid Shams, Director of Photography; music by Rory Boyle. The Morgan's Beatus manuscripts will be on view.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Christian Altar Cross from the Solomon Islands

Rare Christian Altar Cross Inlaid with Pearl Shell
Solomon Islands, circa 1900. 62cm x 33cm x 19.5cm

Monday, September 8, 2014

Don Richardson To Speak Near Asheville, NC

Author, former missionary, and contextualizer Don Richardson will be speaking at a 10:00am breakfast on September 22nd at Asheville Christian Academy, near Asheville, NC.

Richardson will share his personal experience as a missionary in Papua New Guinea. He will also share from his many years of missions development work including the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course.

He is the author of Eternity in Their Hearts and other books. All of Richardson's books focus on what he calls his "redemptive analogy" thesis: the idea that each culture has some story, ritual, or tradition that can be used to illustrate and apply the Christian gospel message.

Don and his wife Carol served for 15 years among the Sawi, a Stone Age tribe of cannibal-headhunters who valued treachery as an ideal. Don designed an alphabet suited to their language, authored 19 primers, taught the tribesmen to read in their native tongue and translated the New Testament into Sawi. More than half of the Sawi came to Christ!

To sign up for the breakfast, click here.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Indian Christian Art by Brojoe Joseph

Please Note: All posts on this blog are intended for informational purposes only, not as an evaluation or endorsement of any artist, art form, organization or website. If you have concerns about the accuracy of any information presented please contact the author at hmsarthistorian@gmail.com.

Below are some beautiful examples of Christian artwork by Indian artist Brojoe Joseph (perhaps his student work). You can find more of his paintings at his blog, Indian Christian Art, which features an Introduction section where he briefly explains inculturation, as well as Christianity in India and various styles of Indian painting.

I Am the Light of the World

Supper

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Soichi Watanabe: Bamboo and the Holy Spirit

Soichi Watanabe, The Bamboo-Emptiness-Flexibility-and-The Holy Spirit, 2008.
Oil on canvas, 18" x 15".

Soichi Watanabe, a Japanese Christian painter, was born in 1949. In his work he seeks to answer the question, "What is the ideal form of art for Christian art in Japan in the present age?" He teaches art at a private art school that he founded in 1982 in the city where he lives, Koshigaya City, Saitama. His influences include many ancient forms of art along with varioius 20th century abstract artists.

Watanabe writes:

"In 1972 I read in a book by Albert Schweitzer that when we encounter Jesus, we don't know who he is. When the disciples encountered Jesus by the seaside, they didn't know who he was. But they followed his call. Schweitzer heard God's call when he came across an appeal in a newspaper for doctors to be missionaries in Africa. After ten years of studying medicine he threw away the status of professor of theology and professional organist and followed Jesus. I was led to the Christian faith by some teachers, friends and books. Now I realize that these persons and these books were really Jesus by the seaside."

To read a devotional reflection on Watanabe's painting above, The Bamboo-Emptiness-Flexibility-and-The Holy Spirit, click here. Another devotional reflection on a different painting by him can be found here. For more examples of his work, click here. And here is a bio of the artist.

Below are two of my favorites:

Soichi Watanabe, We are One in Jesus Our Lord.

Soichi Watanabe, Lotus - The Grace of God (Ephesians 1:7), 2008.
Oil on canvas, 21" x 18".

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Call for Entries: "Our Mob – God’s Story" Indigenous Christian Art Book

Birth of Jesus by Max Conlon has been featured in the project's promotional materials.
Conlon is also one of the book's selection committee members.

It's been nearly a month since I've posted, mainly due to an online class that ended in early June and lots of stuff to catch up on since then. Anyway, please check out a flyer here about the upcoming Indigenous Australian Christian art book that I posted about in 2013. It's called Our Mob – God’s Story and is being produced by Bible Society Australia for publication in 2017. They're asking for submissions of "paintings which tell Bible stories or depict Christian symbols" by Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander artists. The deadline for entries is July 31 2014.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will aid in providing Bible translations into indigenous Australian heart languages. The book's selection committee is made up entirely of Aboriginal Australians.

The hope for Our Mob – God’s Story is to show "the depth of spirituality among Indigenous Christians while showcasing their talent, and [to be] a creative means of engaging people with the gospel." Click here for more about the book and one of its selection committee members, Christobel Mattingley. For more about artist and selection committee member Max Conlon, click here.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Curious Christian: How to Find Alternative Christian Art

Shanghai-based artist Yu Jiade's interpretation
of Jesus as The Good Shepherd

Here's a great 2010 post from Matt Stone at Curious Christian called "How to find alternative Christian art." He provides some great tips for finding Christian art outside of the typical Sunday School / desktop wallpaper variety.

Matt has accumulated a great collection of all kinds of alternative Christian art at his blog, including lots of nonwestern/indigenous Christian art. Check it out!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Kufic and Arabic Crosses

Pascal Zoghbi, Photographer.

Here is a cool looking cross via Curious Christian and the source of the photo, Pascal Zoghbi at 29Letters Blog. **world Business 1981*** reports that the wooden cross

is currently in the National Evangelical Church of Beirut, a Protestant church in Lebanon. The work was made in 1995 by the Lebanese Arab Christian artist Istfén. The writings are John 3:16; they say in Arabic "لأنه هكذا أحب الله العالم حتى بذل ابنه الوحيد لكي لا يهلك كل من يؤمن به بل تكون له الحياة الأبدية". Dimensions of the cross are 140cm X 100cm.

Another Arabic calligraphy cross by artist EveritteBarbee can be seen here. It also contains John 3:16, once around the border and once in the cross itself. The centre circle reads "(he) loved".

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Cross Logo of Lutheran Indian Ministries

From Holy Nation:

"The colors of this Native cross, along with the words, "Christ's Kingdom. Every Native American Nation,", communicate the focus of the Lutheran Association of Missionaries & Pilots U.S. to bring the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ to people of all races- red, yellow, black and white.

From Lutheran Indian Ministries:

While the legal name of the organization continues to be Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S., Inc., the name Lutheran Indian Ministries was introduced to reflect our ministry to Native Americans by Native Americans.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Create International Animated Video for Li People

Please Note: All posts on this blog are intended for informational purposes only, not as an evaluation or endorsement of any artist, art form, organization or website. If you have concerns about the accuracy of any information presented please contact the author at hmsarthistorian@gmail.com.

Check out this new animated video by Create International for the Li people, whom I presume are the ones who live off the southern coast of mainland China on Hainan Island. I don't really know anything about the video, except that it tells the Gospel story from eternity before creation through the ascension of Christ and beyond. It seems to incorporate some visual cultural elements like dress and perhaps cultural symbols for God (including Chinese script), colors (?), as well as cultural music. In any case, an interesting combination of computer animation and cultural forms to tell the Gospel story.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Because He Lives We Can Face Tomorrow

Because He Lives We Can Face Tomorrowby Cree Artist Ovide Bighetty

From the reForming Relationships art tour website:

Kisemanito Pakitinasuwin - The Creator’s Sacrifice tells this foundational Christian story of Jesus’ death and resurrection - the story that makes all things new. Its vibrant imagery, familiar to some and unfamiliar to others - both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal—invites us to re-imagine how we think about and live out the relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples... Through these works of art, the Spirit of our Creator invites us to live in new ways - in re-formed relationships of peace and friendship.

The Last Supper by Jamini Roy

The Last Supper by Jamini Roy, c.1937–1940. Oil on canvas, 61 x 183 cm

From the Victoria and Albert Museum:

This work represents an instance of the artist's early fascination for Christian themes.
The painting depicts the twelve apostles in profile, six stand in the foreground and six in the background; Christ, is the only figure depicted in full frontal view. All the figures, have very large eyes, a characteristic feature of Jamini Roy's work.

Jamini Roy (1887-1972) was one of the most important [non-Christian] artists of the modern period in India, drawing on the popular and folk traditions of rural Bengal for his inspiration. He developed his own personal style which was characterised by bold lines and flat use of colour. He used indigenous materials, including lamp black for the outline drawing, 7 basic colours (Indian red, yellow ochre, cadmium green, vermilion, grey, blue and white), which he applied with organic tempera, earth and mineral pigments to homemade canvas spun with fabric. His paintings can be divided into three main themes: the everyday life of rural Bengal, particularly the women of the aboriginal Santhal community, Hindu mythological subjects and Christian imagery.

Monday, April 14, 2014

The Triumphal Entry

The Triumphal Entry, Unknown Egyptian Artist.
Gouache on papyrus. 25 x 34 cm.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Non-Western Historical Fashion

Rabari women can be easily identified by looking at their womenfolk,
who usually wear long black headscarves (lobadi) and distinctive heavy
brass earrings. They tattoo magical symbols on their necks, breasts and arms.

Hey fashion freaks: check out this website I found called Non-Western Historical Fashion for links to some cool indigenous textiles, clothing, jewelry, etc., plus a dose of very non-red state opinions (reader beware). But definitely a great visual resource for nonwestern clothing. And here's something for the guys:

Samurai helmet (kabuko) shaped like an octopus.
About 18th century, Japan

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Cherokee Dance Group Perform at UNC Asheville Rescheduled to April 8

The Warriors of AniKituhwa

NOTE - THE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 8 DUE TO EXPECTED INCLEMENT WEATHER ON MARCH 25. THE PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 12:30 P.M. ON THE QUAD.

POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 8– If you are in the Asheville, NC area Tuesday, April 8th and can make it, don't miss this performance by the Warriors of AniKituhwa!

From the UNC-Asheville website:

The Warriors of AniKituhwa, Cherokee dance group and official cultural ambassadors for the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will perform at 12:30 Tuesday, March 25 at UNC Asheville’s Main Quad. Their performance is free and open to the public.

The Warriors of AniKituhwa educate audiences about Cherokee history and culture by performing Cherokee dances such as the Eagle Tail Dance, Beaver Hunting Dance and Friendship Dance, based on traditions that date back generations. They also perform a re-creation of the War Dance, using descriptions from the memoirs of Lt. Henry Timberlake, a colonial journalist who witnessed the dances, as well as music from songs recorded on wax cylinders by Cherokee tribal councilman Will West Long and anthropologist Frank Speck in the 1920s.

For additional information click here.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Wominjeka ("Welcome") by Safina Stewart

Wominjeka ("Welcome") by Safina Stewart, 2014. 184cm x 122cm

Australian Aboriginal Christian artist Safina Stewart recently completed another commissioned painting, this one for One Community Church near Melbourne, Australia. The church asked Safina to create a painting that represented "authentic welcome."

Safina responded with Wominjeka, or "Welcome" in the language of the Wurundjeri people (upon whose land One Community Church stands). Here is a description of the painting from the church's website:

The symbols she has chosen are time-honoured icons of the Wurundjeri people upon whose land One Community Church stands. The gum leaves are used in ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies. The Manna Gum, known for its resilience, symbolises hope, courage, perseverance, growth and life. The handprint signatures represent the unique identity each person brings to Christian community. Their imperfect form recognises on the one hand each person’s brokenness, sadness, suffering and struggle. However, they also highlight God’s amazing grace that welcomes without condition or judgement.

The central circles symbolise unity and connection within community and the strong, trusting, healthy and restored fellowship celebrated through generous, welcoming hospitality. The feeder creeks running into the large Yarra river symbolise the healing, refreshing and cleansing power available to all who respond to his invitation to come to him for rest. Even in our brokenness He invites all to soak in His saving/healing River of Life. As the rivers run out beyond the borders of the painting, there is a reminder that as redeemed, commissioned ambassadors we too are to be Jesus’ welcomers beyond the familiar boundaries of our own ‘country’.

At the same link you can watch a short video of Safina discussing the inspiration behind the painting and the various parts of it, as well as listen to a downloadable podcast of her speaking about it (click here to go directly to the podcast link). Here is the video:

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Cherokee Dance Group to Perform March 25 at UNC Asheville

The Warriors of AniKituhwa

If you are in the Asheville, NC area Tuesday, March 25 and can make it, don't miss this performance by the Warriors of AniKituhwa!

From the UNC-Asheville website:

The Warriors of AniKituhwa, Cherokee dance group and official cultural ambassadors for the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, will perform at 12:30 Tuesday, March 25 at UNC Asheville’s Main Quad. Their performance is free and open to the public.

The Warriors of AniKituhwa educate audiences about Cherokee history and culture by performing Cherokee dances such as the Eagle Tail Dance, Beaver Hunting Dance and Friendship Dance, based on traditions that date back generations. They also perform a re-creation of the War Dance, using descriptions from the memoirs of Lt. Henry Timberlake, a colonial journalist who witnessed the dances, as well as music from songs recorded on wax cylinders by Cherokee tribal councilman Will West Long and anthropologist Frank Speck in the 1920s.

For additional information click here.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Aboriginal Christian Painting of the Trinity and the People of God

Here's a beautiful Australian Aboriginal painting called "Wapirra Trinity" by Clarise Nampijinpa Poulson, posted at Matt Stone's blog, Curious Christian (an excellent blog with great posts and art– check it out!). For a description of the painting and it's meaning, click on the image. The link features an article called "The Impact of Christianity on Australian Indigenous Art" and includes artwork by other Australian Aboriginal artists as well. The article begins by posing several questions, which then are addressed as the article continues:

"What enables Indigenous artists to create paintings with Christian themes, even though one of the primary characteristics of Indigenous art lies in the narrative connection to the artist's country in its special Indigenous sense? What enables Indigenous people, who in their own views of religion include neither guilt nor original sin, to become involved with Christianity? What understanding or interpretation do the artists have of the Christian elements in their paintings?"

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Mongolian Warrior Paintings #8-10

Please Note: All posts on this blog are intended for informational purposes only, not as an evaluation or endorsement of any artist, art form or organization. If you have concerns about the accuracy of any information presented please contact the author at hmsarthistorian@gmail.com.

Today we finish with the last three paintings by Mongolian Christian artist Tumur-Ochir Gombojav. To read more about the entire group of these paintings and their cultural background, please click here.

The Shield of Faith to Extinguish All the Flaming Arrows
of the Evil One

Mongol shield, 13th century.
Genghis Khan: The Exhibit.

The Helmet of Salvation

Mongolian helmet, date unknown.

To see a licensed image of a modern reenactor at the Naadam Festival in Mongolia wearing a cross-emblazoned helmet similar to the one in the painting above, click here.

And lastly...

The Sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God
(the Mongolian sword is not double-edged, so the warrior
wields two swords: the Old and the New Testaments)