Christ's Passion subject for art

In an art community that has declared religious art "passe," Bruce Herman is a rebel -- and content with that status.

"My desire is to make art that bypasses the objection that religious painting is passe, and to forge a stronger link with religious art of the past, without shelving the formal possibilities unique to our own time," he said. "We stand on the shoulders of the painters and architects of the past, most of whom made great sacred art."

Mr. Herman, chair of the visual arts department at Gordon College in Gloucester, Mass., will have his work shown at the Visions Gallery in the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany. "The Passion: A Mystery Within a Mystery" will open at the gallery on Feb. 7.

Religion at core

"The idea that we can sever art from religion or tradition is unique to our times and culture," he said. "Almost every culture has related art to religious life in some central way; African masks, totems and cathedral art all share the reality of the spiritual at the core of art-making.

"Truly great art will always address spiritual themes and reveal the perennial human dilemmas and aspirations."

Passion is theme

"It's a foolhardy enterprise. The incarnation is the central mystery of Christianity. We accept it, but we don't understand it," he explained. "That God can become human and die a human death is a deep mystery. He is brutally mistreated, tortured and murdered; the fact that it happened is a blot on humanity. To depict this in an appropriate means in the twentieth century is a challenge."

He hopes those who view the exhibit will walk away with two things. "I hope people will be troubled in a righteous way. Good Friday is a troubling day. It is the tragedy of tragedies," he said. "It's our salvation, but it's our judgment. It gives me chills to think about it. I also want people to be comforted. There is One who loves us more than any other."

Mr. Herman described the Passion of Jesus as the ultimate human dilemma, showing us one who in "sacrificing all of His kingly prerogatives out of love becomes fully human." The artist described this a perfect love. "This is what I have tried to express."

On the outside

"I don't care about New York or Paris," he said, adding he is more concerned about doing God's will. "It's most liberating not having to worry about the opinions of men and women."

His latest religious art is a commission from a church in Lanesville, Mass., to create murals. The murals, based on Old Testament themes, will be incorporated into the worship. Of this effort, he said: "This is what I was born to do."

("The Passion: A Mystery Within A Mystery" opens at the Visions Gallery in the Diocesan Pastoral Center at 40 North Main Ave., Albany, on Feb. 7 with a reception from 5-7 p.m. followed by a slide lecture by the artist. He will also have a book signing for "Golgotha," his full-color, hardcover book of Lenten meditations, and reproductions of his art work. Sales will benefit the gallery. His work will be on display through March 28.)

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