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Image CHRIST AND ART IN ASIA Issue 123-124 | 2011

Image CHRIST AND ART IN Issue 123-124 | 2011

ASIA

IN THIS ISSUE 4

A GIFT TO THE CHURCH Alison O’Grady A brief history of the ACAA, and its activities in the past 32 years

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CHRISTIAN ART IN INDONESIA Erland sibuea The revival of Christian arts in Indonesia is aided by the foundation of two new artist groups

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NAMIKO CHAN TAKAHASHI: NOT A DAY WITHOUT A LINE Aaron Lee Singaporean visual artist and dancer, Namiko Chan Takahashi talks about her art

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INDIAN CHRISTIAN ARTISTS FORUM Paul Kattukaran Updates on the artists forum initaited by the Catholic Bishop’s conference in India

15 JAPANESE CHRISTIAN ARTISTS

Soichi Watanabe The Japan Christian Arts Association

celebrates its 35th anniversary with a art exhibit _______________________________________ On the Cover On the Back cover Wisnu Sasongko Wisnu Sasongko “The Silent Man” “Not me! But you” 2010 2010 Acrylic on canvas Acrylic on canvas 38 x 52 cms 38 x 52 cms

A Gift to the Church Alison O’ Grady Alison O’ Grady has been involved with ACAA since its inception, where she provided adminstrative assistance. She was editor of Image for a number of years and has been involved in editing and production of many ACAA publications

Jyoti Sahi: “Living in Christ with People” When the Christian Conference of Asia held its Assembly in May 1987 in Bangalore, India, this large-sized mural covered the front wall of the meeting hall. Designed by Jyoti Sahi, India, it was painted by a number of artists under his direction. Jyoti is a leader of the synthesis of Hindu and Christian symbolism. This striking mural was the focal point for delegates when they met for business sessions and worship.

It was a great idea - gather together artists from all over Asia so they can meet, exchange ideas and techniques, develop their art and inspire the churches to appreciate the visual presentation of the Christian message. Much planning and hard work took place, and thirty-two years ago during the month of August 1978, a group of artists and theologians met at Dyana Pura Centre (House of Peace) on the beautiful island of Bali.

It was such an inspiring time, that on the last day the participants were reluctant to part. They decided to form an organisation so they could continue their exchange and dialogue. Representatives from the four regions of Asia were appointed to become the committee which would plan and run this new organisation. So began the Asian Christian Art Association (ACAA).

The participants painted and carved and formed friendships across national and cultural barriers.

Theologians observed and listened to the artists and in turn the artists listened and discussed together the ideas presented by the theologians.

Living in a new millennium and looking back from the vantage point of 2011 the question arises: What has the Asian Christian Art Association achieved in the 32 years since its inception?

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Nalini Jayasuriya: “Jonah and the Whale” Sri-Lankan born Nalini jayasuriya is one of the artists who participated in the ACAA echange programme.

She specialised in making works of art usiong oil pastels on cloth.

Sharing Works and Words When the chosen representatives came together for the first meeting of the ACAA, all agreed that the priority was to have a magazine. They named it ‘Image Christ and Art in Asia”. With a volunteer editor and the willingness of artists and invited theologians to contribute, Image made its first appearance in October 1979.

It was a humble beginning but experience brought more professionalism into the production of future issues. Many artists and art styles have been featured and generally the colour reproductions have been true to the original artwork, which is very important for both artists and viewers.

It is useful to recall that back in the late 1970s and early 1980s communication was carried out at a different pace from that of today. There were no computers, no e-mail or worldwide web to provide instant information. Letters had to be hand-written or typed, stamped and posted and, if all went well, they would reach the recipient within a week. The response did not always bring a decision and often the dialogue by means of letters would need to continue. It could be a slow ongoing conversation, and sometimes an expensive international telephone call might be required when time started to run out and plans needed to be finalised.

This is the way things were in the world when the Asian Christian Art Association began. But despite problems of communication, the enthusiasm engendered at the Bali consultation together with financial support from various church organisations and mission boards enabled the ACAA to carry out a number of dynamic programmes over the years.

Other Publications Over the years there have been a number of small books published to record a particular event within the life of the ACAA. In addition, support has been given on occasion to assist artists in the publication of a book with artistic and theological content.

Two major books of Asian art and thought have been produced by ACAA. The first of these two publications, The Bible Through Asian Eyes, combining artworks and theological reflections, was launched at the Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 1991. The second major book, Christ For All People, published in 2001 reached out beyond the Asian region and drew together art and thought from Christians all over the world.

These two books are of ongoing interest internationally among churches and church institutions. ACAA receives requests from church organisations all over the world for permission to re-print artworks from its various publications and it has been happy to facilitate this process by obtaining permission from the artist concerned. In many instances, copyright is held by ACAA. CHRIST AND ART IN ASIA | 5

The new executive committee elected at the consultation held in Bali 1998 to celebrate 20 years. BACK ROW (L-R) Kim Jae Im, Korea; He Qi, China; Alphonso Doss, India; seated: LEFT: Judo Poerwowidagdo, Indonesia; RIGHT: Hannah Varghese, Malaysia and Dr Masao Takenaka, Japan, whose initiative gave rise to the founding of the ACAA in 1978

To curate an exhibition takes a considerable amount of planning and oversight, but the enthusiasm of those who formed the ACAA back in 1978 has continued unabated. The many exhibitions and other various programmes of ACAA have been successfully achieved by those involved because of their determination and commitment.

The greatest achievement of the Asian Christian Art Association, in my opinion, is the fact that it helps people to open their eyes and see the biblical message in new and challenging ways. The works of Asian artists come as a refreshing breeze into the life of the church - a gift from the people of Asia to the church universal.

In 1996 a workshop with the theme: “Using Art to Communicate Environmental Concerns� held in the Philippines brought together artsists from ACAA and communicators from the Christian Conference of Asia. Shown in the composite mural are four of the contributiong artists: (L-R) Evelyna Liang Kan, Hong Kong; Sawai Chinnawong, Thailand; Emmanuel Garibay, Philippines and Mehm Than Oo, Burma/Myanmar

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Aaron Lee

Indian Christian Arts Forum Paul Kattukaran Paul Kattukaran is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Trichur (Thrissur), Kerala India; he holds a doctorate in Aesthetics (based on the Natya Sastra, the ancient Indian text on theatre) from Bangalore; He has been secretary to the Artists Ashram of Jyoti Sahi and now he is promoter of Christian Arts and Architecture in the Archdiocese and also Co-ordinator of Christian Artists Forum initiated by the Commission for Social Communications, Catholic Bishops Conference of India.

M. Suriya Moorthy, “Divinty in Humanity�, Oil on canvas

A group of leading Christian artists in India under the initiative of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications has established a national network called the Indian Christian Artists Forum. Artist priest Dr. Paul Kattukaran of Trichur Archdiocese, has been appointed as the national coordinator for the Forum. Fifteen renowned artists from various parts of the country attended the first meeting of the Christian artists in India on the 4th

August 2010 in Bangalore. Those attending included renowned artists and theologian Jyoti Sahi, Chennai based artist and former principal of Madras College of Fine Arts Mr. Alphonso Doss, former director of Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, and well known sculptor Robin David, Bangalore-based artist C.F. John, artist Edwin Parmar, Ahmedabad, Sr.Vincy, Bongaigaon, Assam, Fr. Roy M. Thottam SJ, Kochi and others.

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The Forum is intended to bring together Christian artists from different parts of the country to foster greater collaboration and professional support and exchange. It intends to promote study and appreciation of Christian art among various sections of the people- clergy, religious and laity in the church, and the wider society in India, and to encourage a deeper understanding, appreciation and application of Indian Christian art in theology, liturgy and architecture in the Church in India.

In his keynote address Jyoti Sahi recalled the contribution of leading Indian Christian artists like Angelo da Fonseca, Frank Wesley, Alfred Thomas, Jose Pereira, Sr. Genevieve, Sr. Claire, and the impact of Christian themes on many other artists in India. He spoke of the close relation between the Ashram life and showed how Fonseca was deeply imbued with the spirit of patriotism, the message of Christ and the life of the people of our land. Showing some of the major works of Fonseca, Sahi pointed out how Fonseca’s works reflect the agricultural activities and village life rooted in the local soil, resonating a deeply spiritual outlook on life.

Sahi cautioned against the danger of Christian art getting more and more westernized in its popular expression due to the internet. People download pictures for practical use from the internet and fail to promote Indian Christian art.

Executive Secretary of CBCI Commission for Social Communications, Fr. George Plathottam sdb briefed the participants about some of the reasons that promoted him to initiate the establishment of a national forum of Indian Christian artists. “Communication” he said, “is becoming more and more visual and we are moving away from a literate to image based culture.

Promotion of Christian art in India is essential if we are to effectively communicate the message of the gospel to the people of the country. Art, he said, is not merely for the elite. In a largely illiterate society, the pictures on the walls are like scriptures for the laity”. We need an artistic expression that is indigenous, rooted in the native symbols and ethos of our country, as we cannot live for long on borrowed images and imagery.

In February 2011 a four-day Art Camp organised by the Indian Christian Artists Forum was held in Kolkata. It brought together 24 artists from five states in India.

Leading artists like Alphonso Arul Doss, former principal of Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, Prof.

G. Raman, former head of the department of Painting, Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, Francis 16 | image 123-124

TOP Roy M. Thottathil Sj, “Love Until It Hurts”, Acrylic on Canvas; BOTTOM P. Augustine Annadurai, “Eucharist and Mother II”, Acrylic on Canvas

Kodankandath, Calicut, Sam Adaikalasamy, Chennai, Anila Viegas, Goa, Suriamoorthi M., Sirkazhy, Tamil Nadu, Suman Gogoi Bhuyan, Guwahati, and Ritu Singh, Kolkata and others participated in the Camp. The camp was led by Fr. George Plathottam sdb, founder-director of the Forum and Executive Secretary, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Commission for Social Communications, and its national coordinator Fr Paul Kattukaran.

BELOW Dr. Alphonso Arul Doss, “Praying Hands”, Oil on Canvas BOTTOM: (LEFT) G. Raman, “Christ Healing Leprosy”, Acrylic on Canvas (RIGHT) Anita Viegas, “Untitled”, Acrylic on Canvas

The camp celebrated the theme Mother Teresa- Communicator of Compassion, paying homage to Mother Teresa in the year of her first birth centenary, and produced some 42 paintings depicting the various facets of Blessed Mother Teresa’s life and message. On the first day of the camp, the participants visited the Mother House and prayed at her tomb to pay tribute to her and to draw inspiration for their work. During the workshop, the artists held interactive sessions with some 50 students of art and their parents. The artists reviewed and commented on the work of the budding artists and responded to their questions.

During the camp, the participants also watched visual images of each other’s works and held peer review sessions. An exhibition of the paintings and a website was inaugurated by Sr Nirmala Joshi, successor of Mother Teresa, February 11, Seva Kendra, Kolkata. Archbishop Lucas Sircar of Kolkata, inaugurated a website of the Indian Christian Artists Forum where further information on developments with the Forum will be posted - <http://www.christianartindia.org>.

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