The 56th Blake Prize for Religious Art

Introducing The Blake Prize For Religious Art

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The Blake Prize for Religious Art is one of the more prestigious art prizes in Australia. For 55 years it has been awarding a prize for works of art that explore the subject of religious awareness and spirituality. In difference to art prizes that are awarded for distinct subject areas such as landscape or portraiture, the Blake has always invited a much more open, personal and idiosyncratic response, so much so that it has earned the criticism, ire and sometimes applause of critics and the public alike. After all, what is religious art?

First awarded in 1951 it has brought to the attention of the art world new and emerging artist as well as allowing for innovation and experimentation of expression. Senior artists like John Coburn, Eric Smith and Rod Milgate first came to attention through their winning entries for the Prize. In more recent years, the Blake has seen something of a revival of interest with increasing numbers of entries and a diversity of ideas being expressed in the works. Recent winners have included George Gittoes, Hilarie Mais and Rachel Ellis. The search for a visual means of expressing deeply held perceptions and beliefs is rewarded each year in an exhibition that begins its life in Sydney and then travels around Australia.

The Prize was the brainchild of Richard Morley, a Jewish businessman, and Michael Scott, a Jesuit educationalist, who believed that such a Prize would provide contemporary works of art for the many new churches and synagogues being built in the post war suburban sprawl. While religious authorities were generally taken aback by the modern flavour of these new investigations, it was the artists who most welcomed the Blake as it allowed them to express more personal subject matter; in short, it rewarded innovation and daring. The Prize was named after the mystic artist and writer William Blake who is celebrated for his creative commitments rather than his adherence to any particular dogma.

Surprise is the more characteristic response to each year’s exhibition rather than a confirmation of any traditional iconography. In the search for fresh contemporary expressions of spirituality artists have continued to extend the envelope of the Blake to encompass a wide diversity of religious expression drawing on major religious traditions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism, as well as indigenous spirituality. The Blake has fostered this breadth of diversity and celebrated the various rich traditions that make up the landscape of belief in Australia.

More personal responses have also found their way into the Blake’s gamut with explorations of feminism and gender, connections with the natural world and the wider referencing of the political influences of war, ecology and globalisation. There is nothing the Blake doesn’t seem to cover even tolerating parody, irony and humour over against the usually serious face of organised religion. Each year there is much to be annoyed by, seduced by, or simply inspired by. It is a thoroughly ecumenical experience for the eyes!

A Prize for Religious Art reminds us that the arts have a valuable role to play in a society as we explore the place of passion, love, belief and action. Learning to appreciate the diversity of belief allows more opportunity to act together with understanding and compassion. Art allows us to speculate on the mystery of life, while learning to appreciate the deeply held perceptions of people different to us without needing to agree with their ideas. Art has always had a close relationship to religious expression and exploration. It is a medium suited to exploring the many creative paths that people take on their life journey and honouring that diversity.

The Prize is managed by the Blake Society, which is currently developing a Foundation to ensure the ongoing viability of the Prize. Its membership comes from a diverse range of professions and religious interests. The common goal of the Society is to affirm the ongoing and dynamic contribution of this cultural institution to Australian society and the arts.

For further information on the Blake Prize, its history, as well as opportunities to support the Blake Society see the website (www.blakeprize.com).

 - Rod Pattenden

Rev Rod Pattenden in an artist, art historian and Chairperson of the Blake Society.