Priscilla Bracks, a Brisbane artist, has people talking about Jesus and Osama Bin Laden with her work, “Bearded Orientals”, entered in the Blake Prize for Religious Art competition.
Bracks says that her work is concerned with relationships between contemporary popular culture, and the futures we (for better or for worse) create. It is not intended as a statement but rather as a means to ask questions. In particular, she’s questioning the relationships between media, popular culture, and the development of truth, history and ideology.
“When you observe these two people, Osama Bin Ladin and Jesus, their ethics could not be more different. The only comparison that can be made is historical: both pursued by two of the world’s most powerful armies – the US and the Roman armies. Jesus is clearly defined by history, but I am interested in how history will treat the image of Osama.”
“To me this work is a cautionary tale about our fixation with crime, violence and catastrophe. Access to information is important and there are instances where this has been well balanced with the temptation to sensationalise. No war was declared against the Lockerby bombers. Instead they were extradited and tried for murder amidst media coverage that left few people with a lingering memory of their names. Similarly, Martin Bryant was moved to an inner cell in his Tasmanian prison to ensure his media attention did not turn him into a cult figure like Charles Manson. There is a wisdom in this approach that has been forgotten in the case of Bin Laden, and this lapse may have unintended, unwelcome effects in the future.”
“The controversy surrounding works on exhibition in this year’s Blake prize for Religious Art is an indication of why art is such a powerful means of exploring cultural and religious difference”, claimed Chair of the Blake Prize, Rev Rod Pattenden.
Rev Pattenden said of the controversy, “Whilst I am disappointed with the sensationalist beat up in some parts of the media I think there is a real nerve being hit here. I have received several angry phone calls from people claiming religious allegiance who have expressed themselves with clear hatred and violence towards other religious groups. Art and the Blake prize, in particular, does our culture a service when it can make us aware of our prejudices, out hatreds and the intolerance that sometimes underlies some forms of belief.”
Kevin Rudd and John Howard are both quoted by the media as saying the Bearded Orientals work insults the Christian heritage of Australia.
Andrew Bolt, columnist with Melbourne’s newspaper The Age, claims that the acceptance of the Bearded Orientals work in the Blake Prize competition is an example of the niceness of Christianity - too afraid to stand up for itself.
The dissonance caused by placing the two figures together is what makes this more than just a provocative dig at Christianity. As Bracks suggests, there are deeper issues at stake, regarding the way in which Australia’s engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan will be seen in the fullness of time. Christians have the opportunity to engage in meaningful intelligent conversation here, as do members of the press.
The irony in all of this is that the portrayal of Jesus in the second portrait reveals the domestication of his image. Would Jesus really have been wearing a cross? Carrying one maybe. But not as a fashion statement. And as for hair spray and gold-encrusted robe… Jesus has been made in the image of the original painter’s patrons.
A number of churches around Sydney this last week have put up signs saying “Jesus Loves Osama”, with the words from Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Churches involved include Central Baptist and St Clement’s Anglican Church, Marrickville. I first heard about the story when ABC Radio Gold Coast rang up asking for some comments for their morning show tomorrow morning. The campaign has been organised by Outreach Media.
Andrew Bolt at the Herald Sun has provoked quite a conversation by linking the poster with Michael Leunig’s question, “Might we, can we, find a place in our heart for the humanity of Osama bin Laden and those others? On Christmas Day can we consider their suffering, their children and the possibility that they too have their goodness? It is a family day, and Osama is our relative.”
So does Jesus love Osama? I asked that question on the night of the September 11 bombings. At a memorial service on the Gold Coast we put up images from the web showing the destruction and horror of the day, along with pictures of human compassion and courage amid the suffering. We also had a photograph of Osama Bin Laden. I had the challenge of weaving into the prayers thoughts for this man and his colleagues.
1. Which Osama?
We assume they’re talking about Osama Bin Laden, the ringleader of the Al Quaeda. Of course there are thousands of people in the world called Osama. It’s a bit like saying “Jesus loves George”. So there’s nothing special about being called Osama then…
2. What is it about Osama Bin Laden that makes this statement neccessary?
We’re aware of Osama Bin Laden’s track record in sponsoring an underground revolution in Afghanistan, forcing Russian troops out of his country. And we’re aware of Osama Bin Laden’s track record in resourcing and training militants in campaigns of resistance and terrorism around the world, including the September 11 2001 bombing of the Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City. There are people who share the passions of Osama Bin Laden. There are people who are loved by Osama. But for many people this character does not qualify for the ‘lovable’ category.
3. What is it about Jesus that makes this statement possible?
Looking at Jesus’ track record we discover a tendency to search out people who have been rejected by their peers. In some cases he’s befriended people who have been spurned because of their despicable actions. In other cases it’s people who have been unfairly treated. What appears to be consistent is Jesus’ capacity for undeserved mercy (grace) for ’sinners’.
4. What kind of love are we talking about?
A common interpretation of the word ‘love’ is centred on the concept of affection and fondness. “I love that guy”. With that meaning inserted into the “Jesus loves Osama” statement we have a distorted perception of Osama, Jesus and love. The kind of love consistently shown by Jesus is more about the capacity of our creator to engage with creation with compassion, concern and call for renewal. This is the kind of love that sees beyond our perceived aggrievances and sees God’s gift of humanity even in the lives of abusive men and women. Jesus forgave even those who treated him unfairly and brought about his death. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Abd yet God’s love is not about blind tolerance of destructive attitudes or behaviour. Jesus was not shy about calling people to model their lives on his compassionate love.
5. Can love go with the use of violence to prevent further destructive behaviour?
I think so. I would prefer that to embarking on a campaign of hate.
So what would you say in response to the statement, “Jesus loves Osama?”
Had an email this week from Paul Vieira, author of an ‘about-to-be-published’ book, “God Has Left The Building”. Paul was a successful youth pastor who ended up disillusioned and outside the established church. In his book he chronicles some of his journey, engaging with Scriptures again and revisioning what it means to be the church. He’s laying it on the table at his web site/blog, Jesus Has Left the Building, including a chapter summary, the prologue and chapter one.
Now Paul is the director of Harvest Stone and of a discipleship school called the Joppa Experience, located near his home in Canada. He has also made the entire course, which is focused on knowing God and finding Christ throughout all of scripture, available online at www.joppaonline.com.
Anyone know Paul? What do you think of what he’s got to say? Check out the book at Amazon.com (August 2006)
Had an email this week from Paul Vieira, author of an ‘about-to-be-published’ book, “God Has Left The Building”. Paul was a successful youth pastor who ended up disillusioned and outside the established church. In his book he chronicles some of his journey, engaging with Scriptures again and revisioning what it means to be the church. He’s laying it on the table at his web site/blog, 
