Postmodern Heretics: Catholic Imagination in Contemporary Art

by Eleanor Heartney

The art controversies emerging in the Culture War in the U.S, involved artists from Catholic roots like Mapplethorpe, Serrano, Finley, and Gober; additionally, those who avoided notoriety with responses ranging from belief to outright rejection also reflect a sense of body and sexuality that is distinctly Catholic.

Genres: Art

198 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eleanor Heartney's recent foray into religion and art seems promising given the cover endorsements by Andrew Greely, a well known priest and expositor of Catholic culture, and Arthur Danto, the high priest of art world criticism and theory. Yet a careful reading of Greely's blurb shows he is only restating her thesis (i.e. "Heartney claims ...") and not a value judgment at all. This is telling.

The book isn't worth the time it takes to read. Either from the perspective of a curious Catholic or an art world culture vulture, the result is the same. Both the treatments of theology and art are inexcusably trite, incurious, and self-serving. The subject of the book is the tired controversies of the late 80's and early 90's over the works of Robert Mapplethorpe, Andres Serrano, et al. Only this treatment forgets entirely the heart of the issue --public funding of artwork that offends those who paid for it-- and merely belittles the general Catholic response to these works as ignorant. Wasn't this hoity-toity platitude exhausted some fifteen years ago? Did she miss her turn mocking the plebs? Not enough current Catholic-baiting in Chelsea to entertain her, even the life-size chocolate Jesus exhibited at Easter (2005)? Word is Heartney has shopped this manuscript around for several years, which explains its dated subject, poor print quality, and frequent typographical errors. Save yourself the time and frustration by watching a George Carlin rant so you can at least be entertained.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was raised Catholic, and right after a turn toward a much deeper devotion to the Church, I finally broke away from Catholicism. I've always loved art. But at times, especially during the period of my life in which I was very involved with the Church, I struggled to understand some modern pieces that reference Catholicism either directly or indirectly.

I recommend this book. In some of the artists described therein I saw reflections of myself as a former Catholic--I can identify with their struggles. And I found myself much closer to grasping their work by looking at their art through the lens of Catholicism. There are connections that are teased out in this book which I've never considered before, but which now make perfect sense to me.

My only complaint with the book is that it could have done with another glance through by an editor. But a few errors here and there are not a real issue.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very compassionate yet insightful critique of some of the most flagrantly difficult and seemingly offensive art produced after 1950. I have not yet decided if all of the artists/pieces pass the threshold of "great art," but she has certainly made a case for it and it has been interesting to ponder. I consider myself very open-minded to art generally, but much of the art in this book is really challenging--like body art, violent performance art, etc. Heartney is able to tie the themes and art she explores to Catholic consciousness. So very interesting!

[josé miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the Eleanor Heartney Bible Translation. The Eleanor Heartney Version (EHV).