Religion and Art

A Powerful Combination

Art in Religion

Art is a way of• expressing an understanding • expressing the “feelings” and sensations of

being in contact with the Ultimate Reality.• expressing a sentiment or relating a story.• expressing spiritual or religious realities.

Art expresses

an understanding of the Ultimate Reality.

For example in Buddhism there is the Maitreya, an wandering ascetic monk.

This particular one lived a simple life.

His hair is matted and he has a stupa.

One pair of hands welcomes and the other is raised in expectation of the better world to come.

Art expresses

faith and “feelings” and sensations of being in contact with the Ultimate Reality.

Art expresses

a sentiment or relating a story

Art expresses

Even in the mundane awe and reverence for the ultimate reality.

Art expresses

spiritual or religious realities.

Hindu Art

The feminine in Indian Art

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/artimages/ba22.jpg

Native American

By King Kuka, Blackfeet ArtistNationally Renowned Native American Artist

http://www.am-pub.com/art/indian.gif

Christian Art

Stained Glass is typical of Christian art. Their scenes typical tell stories or depict characters in the Bible.

http://www.christianartexhibit.com/stainedglass/stained.glass.1061.medium.jpg

Jewish Art

This item can be found in the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. “Crafted around 1920, this cabinet, used in a home for storing ceremonial objects, was made by Schatz himself and is typical of the school. All of the images on the cabinet are associated with aspects of Jewish learning or culture.”

http://www.jewishmuseum.net/collection/65-1.jpg

Buddhist Art Buddhist art can be

found in many parts of the world.

http://www.ackland.org/art/exhibitions/buddhistart/images/mandala.jpg

http://www.artsacred.com/buddhismreligion/IN11.jpg

Taoist Art

This figure, Zhong Kui, is said to exorcise evil. He is considered a god by some.

http://66.240.178.194/store/media/5512l.jpg

Islamic Art

Islam has prohibitions against making idols. Here is a sample of some of their art work.

• Islamic Art.