The Blake Prize for Religious Art sounds like it should be a very serene, pious exhibition of artworks - classical images of angels and the nativity scene. That assumption would be wrong. Remember the ‘Osama bin Christ’ controversy, anyone?
In fact, The Blake Prize is one of the most controversial contemporary art competitions on the calendar. It’s an annual prize named in honor of highly regarded British poet and artist William Blake who was a radical visionary in his day (he passed in 1827). It is open to a diversity of artistic styles, and encourages disparate styles and religious exploration.
Entries in this year’s Prize are once again varied in style and subject matter, from photographic triptychs to sculpture and traditional indigenous works. There is also a lovely touch of controversy with a Drag Queen Christ on display.
Lucky Brisbanites can see it all! For the first time in ten years the 60th Blake Prize has returned to Brisbane, and will be exhibited for almost two months at the QUT Art Museum. So get down to Gardens Point and prepare to be shocked, offended amazed and challenged by this unique art exhibition.
Image credit: Brian Robinson, As the rains fell and the seas rose