Material Rendering of Imagery of 'Divine' and 'Faith' of Practicing Christian Adults - Pavlina Kasparova

Summary:

I am exploring the development of religious/spiritual imagery in the creative process of adult Christian artists. Specifically, I am researching how these people think and express their beliefs in tangible forms such as art, symbols, rituals, and language. I want to explore the rich imagery associated with the 'divine' and 'faith' in this specific Christian group. 

Research Questions: 

How do adult Christian artists perceive and develop religious/spiritual imagery in their creative process when thinking about divine matters and faith? 

Why the Project is Needed: 

This project explores how individuals transform abstract concepts like 'divine' and 'faith' into tangible artworks, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of religious expression among practising Christian adults. It offers an innovative interdisciplinary methodology that enriches theological discussions and broadens horizons through collaboration and dialogue, challenging established religious and cultural concepts. 

Relevance to the Fellowship Programme: 

This project explores how creative individuals conceive of divine realities, investigating emotional and intellectual understanding of religion, the connection between faith representations and individual identity, and the cognitive processes shaping religious experiences. It also examines how individuals associate divine concepts with various forms, rituals, symbols, and language. The research contributes to understanding religious/spiritual experiences and the intersection of creativity and Creation - theological concepts of the Incarnation and Imago Dei. 

Project Activities: 

I will collaborate with ten visual artists based in the UK, employing a case studies approach that includes qualitative interviews, self-observation, content analysis, and artistic analysis of symbols and artefacts. Through this interdisciplinary approach, I will explore the complex processes behind creating and expressing religious imagery. 

Outputs: 

My project will produce ten artworks that will be publicly displayed in an art exhibition, accompanied by a brochure introducing the presented artworks (case studies). I will also present my findings at a relevant academic conference or symposium, and disseminate my insights through a research paper (article, chapter) submitted for publication. 

Anticipated Outcomes: 

I anticipate several outcomes from my project, including: 

• Enhanced interdisciplinary scholarship through collaboration between artists, theologians, and cognitive scientists. 
• An enriched theological discourse that expands the visual vocabulary of theology. 
• Improved understanding of religious cognition and its implications for psychology and cognitive science. 
• Enhanced religious education practices that resonate more deeply with congregations. 
• Meaningful dialogue across academic and non-academic audiences. 
• A lasting impact on visual theology, inspiring future research and creative endeavours.