Imaging God Anew

It is surprising how religious symbolism in modern art continues to
speak to a broad public. Art and religion are intrinsically connected
because both deal with the fundamental issues of life.






Examining art in churches and museums with this in mind, Wessel Stoker
looks at how modern and contemporary Western visual artists present
these fundamental issues. In this work, he explores the new visual
language that artists like Vincent van Gogh, Alexej von Jawlensky, Graham
Sutherland, Marlene Dumas, and others use to image God or Christ anew.
In contrast to what has long been the dominant view of art in the West -
art for art's sake - their art fulfills functions in social life.
Their art engages in dialogue, becomes a form of protest, or provides
spiritual deepening. How is that to be evaluated theologically?