The Vocation of the Artist [Paperback]

This book examines the historical role of the artist and considers the contemporary function of the artist as prophetic critic and visionary.The Vocation of the Artist examines the historical role of the artist and presents a particular perspective, grounded in the author's experience as a practicing artist and scholar, on the contemporary function of the artist as prophetic critic and visionary. Bringing together a wide range of historical and theoretical sources in cultural history, art history and theory, and religion, this book is addressed to those interested in the complex interdisciplinary dialogue of the visual arts, religion and ethics.The Vocation of the Artist examines the historical role of the artist and presents a particular perspective, grounded in the author's experience as a practicing artist and scholar, on the contemporary function of the artist as prophetic critic and visionary. Bringing together a wide range of historical and theoretical sources in cultural history, art history and theory, and religion, this book is addressed to those interested in the complex interdisciplinary dialogue of the visual arts, religion and ethics.Originating in the author's experience as a practicing artist and scholar, this book is a thoroughly postmodern enterprise that draws from a wide range of historical and theoretical resources in cultural history, especially art history/theory and the study of religion. It discusses historical roles of the artist, and also presents a particular perspective on the contemporary function of the artist as prophetic critic and visionary. Using specific interpretations of the words vocation, prophetic, and visionary, the author brings attention to the need for artists to assess critically the relationship of the past and present to the future. This book is addressed to those interested in the interdisciplinary dialogue of the visual arts, religion, and ethics.Part I. Preliminary Issues: 1. Introduction; 2. A proposition; 3. ls%