Imaging God Anew: A Theological Aesthetics [Paperback]

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

Examining art in churches and museums with this in mind, Wessel Stokerlooks at how modern and contemporary Western visual artists presentthese fundamental issues. In this work, he explores the new visuallanguage that artists like Vincent van Gogh, Alexej von Jawlensky, GrahamSutherland, 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 providesspiritual deepening. How is that to be evaluated theologically?