“Devotion“, by Joost Van Beek is licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0
Thank you for visiting! This is a quick first post to welcome you to my blog, dedicated to exploring religious art from ancient to modern and its expressions in popular culture. I’m a Theology, Philosophy, and Art History student, currently in teacher training to become a Religious Education teacher in the UK. Blogging is my creative outlet – a peaceful place to express myself. My research also enhances my knowledge of faith and hopefully improve my teaching practice. You can read more about me here.
This blog is dedicated to religious art and devotionalia. Religious art has a rich and profound history, deeply intertwined with the faith and devotion of its creators and admirers. From intricate stained glass windows illuminating our places of worship to icons, artifacts and even music videos that invite us into contemplation, each piece of art tells a story of belief, hope, and reverence. Art connects us with different periods and cultures, also revealing surprising similarities and fascinating differences. Despite the modern Western apparent decline in religiosity, expressions of faith remain everywhere around us.
As students may read my blog, it’s important to me as a teacher that I remain neutral in my writing. I am deeply respectful of all faiths and do not advocate for any particular faith or denomination on my blog. The blog aims to explore and elucidate the diverse expressions of faith through art. Appreciating the beauty and significance of religious art can enrich our understanding of different cultures and beliefs. I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer your questions. Additionally, if you notice anything that needs correcting, please get in touch! Your insights and perspectives are incredibly valuable.
I live in bewildered awe of the creators, both past and present, who have crafted works that challenge our ways of thinking, inspire us, and uplift the spirit. I love exploring how historic works of art and their meanings are still relevant to us today.