Search the GTU

This exhibition was a visual chorus of African American spiritual tradition. Situated at the nexus of religion and creativity, Sunday Spirit provided an intimate look at significant moments in African American family and community life. Etchings, lithographs, and other works on paper featured noted artists including David Driskell and Faith Ringgold. Images represent music, myth, remembrance and other facets of African American culture. 

Works from the David D. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland.

David Sleeth's Site/Structure opened with an unframed collage depicting stonewalls surrounding Tell en-Nasbeh, a site northwest of Jerusalem excavated by William Frederic Badè between 1926 and 1935. With a focus on experimental archeology and an interest in sculptural work, Sleeth used lithics (stone tools), iron implements, ceramics, and other small artifacts, as well as original photographs of Tell en-Nasbeh, to create a related series of pen and ink drawings. Also included in the exhibition was a sculptural piece made of wood, carved through the traditional process of burning and scraping...

In Icon & Artifact, Paul Roorda used ashes, gold leaf, historical materials, and discarded Bibles to express a neo-liturgical approach to Christian art and ritual. Through his creative process, Roorda gives us works of arresting beauty, imbued with meaning. The seventeen pieces in this exhibition were grouped in three categories: In Slate Requiem, Roorda made use of slate tiles from an old church roof to examine the tension between faith and knowledge, referencing historical icons for a new time; rusty nails and beeswax create meaning in Encaustic Drawings; and, in The End of the Book, Roorda...

In Queer Santas, Holy Violence, artist Alma López presented paintings and prints that highlight women and girls persecuted for deviating from societal norms. By presenting the saints and historical figures depicted in these works in comtemporary form, López links them with present day concerns, focusing on the troubling normalization of violence against women.

Alma López weaves together traditional Catholic saints, Mexican folk tales, and Aztec legends to create arresting, richly detailed images. In her Queer Santas series, López focuses on women who were martyred for their refusal to conform...

Since 1999, the Langs have been visiting Point Reyes National Seashore, gathering plastic debris as it washes out of the Pacific Ocean. Like archaeologists, the Langs carefully collect and organize these artifacts of our time. The Langs’ prints stand on their own as beautiful and arresting artworks; the surprise is in the realization that they have been created out of plastic debris. In this way, the Langs address our throwaway culture, the ubiquity of plastic, and our shared responsibility for environmental stewardship.

CARe caught up with the Langs back in 2018 and 2021 -- be sure to read...

As part of her GTU Doctoral program in Art and Religion, Colette Walker offered this Creative Project. Featuring encaustic paintings and photographs, From Ashes was the culmination of a year-long inquiry into the proposition that art-making can serve as a modality of healing and transformation.

This timely exhibition highlighted the work of seven American artists of diverse backgrounds who draw inspiration from Islamic visual heritage. Through their artwork, these artists – Muslim and non-Muslim, women and men, residing in Blue states or Red states – reminded us of the beauty and meaning that we can find by reaching across borders of religion and culture. 

Curated by Carol Bier (Visiting Scholar, Center for Islamic Studies at the GTU)

Reverberating Echoes was featured in Berkeleyside, be sure to read the article, An exhibit of contemporary art serves as a balm to anti-Muslim...