Religion in Modern Art

James Elkins' article Bridging the Gap Between Modern Art and Religion claims that contemporary artists who consider Western religious or spiritual ideas in their work are being marginalised by the greater art world. Art students whose work has religious content are being denied productive criticism by instructors who do not wish to discuss religious concepts. On the other hand, art which is critical of mainstream Western religions is receiving wide acclaim. This article aims to highlight the disparity between the treatment of religiously-focused art and secular art which examines organised religion, and in this, it is fairly successful. In very few words, it outlines the issue and explains its prevalence, as well as offering a possible solution. However, the argument is slightly weakened by Elkins' attempt to divide the global art community into two discrete groups, the 'religionists' and the others. 'Religionists' are those - artists, art historians, art scholars - who involve religious concepts in their work. The others are everyone else.
While this is a useful tool for furthering Elkins' argument, it is also an over-simplified view of the art world, and of the idea of religious exploration. 'Everyone else' includes artists who criticise religious ideas in their art, and yet, by Elkins' description, their work does not possess religious content. He does not discuss the idea that religious or spiritual exploration may also be criticism of religious concepts. It is a very simplistic observation that says art dealing with religious themes is either religious or critical of religion. It is true that Elkins is only constructing his argument like this because of his observations of the dichotomy of religious and non-religious art. However, since his article aims to solve this issue, taking part in it in this way is counterproductive.
On the whole, though, this is a clear and fairly comprehensive article that draws attention to the issue at hand in an effective manner. It is possible that the disparity Elkins descibes will lessen over time as religion becomes less of a taboo subject and the discussion of religious 'reenchantment' becomes more acceptable. The root of the problem may be that the art world is considered, and considers itself, to be a secular sphere, and therefore religious contributions are out of place. As more people realise that this is not the case - or does not have to be, at least - perhaps the marginalisation of religious art will cease to be possible.
Jessica Western

References
Elkins, J. Bridging the Gap Between Modern Art and Religion. In Chicago Art's News. Accessed 12/03/13 from http://www.chicagoarts-lifestyle.com/cac-perspectives-can-modern-art-and-religion-get-along/#more-660