Blake judge quits in protest over painting
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Corpus Christi (Women Only Bleed) by artist Adam Cullen. (Supplied)
Australia's top prize for religious art is again embroiled in controversy after its judges fell out over the inclusion of a work by controversial artist Adam Cullen.
Sydney academic Dr Christopher Allen has resigned from the Blake Art Prize judging panel in protest over Cullen's work being included on the shortlist.
The canvas shows Jesus Christ on the cross with the inscription "only women bleed".
The chairman of the Blake Art Prize, Reverend Rod Pattenden, says he and the other two judges - artist Lachlan Warner and religious scholar Kathleen McPhillips - respect Dr Allen's decision.
"The Blake Prize, however, embraces diversity in its entries and it is important to us that we remain open to the many styles through which artists engage with the subject area," Reverend Pattenden said in a statement.
"The other two judges believe that the work submitted [by Cullen] for the Blake Prize shows an engagement with the history and complex symbolism of the crucifixion and on the basis of their assessment we will include the work amongst the finalists."
Dr Allan told ABC Radio's PM program that he did not like Cullen's painting and thought another judge agreed with him that it should not be included.
"I was really quite happy by what we'd done on Friday," he said.
"I thought we'd made big progress, it was going to be a much more coherent show than last year's for example and that therefore the work that I'd put in had not been wasted.
"But after what happened, I felt extremely angry and I now feel I will certainly think twice at least before accepting other such invitations."
The winner of the $200,000 prize will be announced on September 4.
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Comments (13)
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jean:
06 Aug 2008 12:31:23pm
Looks like the lines between art, religion, politics AND money are being blurred again. why am I not surprised?
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Ford:
06 Aug 2008 1:16:01pm
I wouldn't be surprised either, given it's a prize for religious art...the fact that religion has come into it is...unsurprising.
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PaulB:
06 Aug 2008 1:23:00pm
Fantasy Art is a fickle thing!Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Spider Dijon:
06 Aug 2008 1:38:07pm
Well, they are dealing with religion. I don't know what they expected if it wasn't fantasy.
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Rick:
06 Aug 2008 12:36:20pm
Resigning because you don't think something should even be *included* in subjective judging is just dumb.
If he doesn't like the artwork, then his path is clear: don't vote for it to win.
So surely his issue has to be deeper and is aimed at a systemic change in the art that is accepted.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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PShaw:
06 Aug 2008 12:47:22pm
"The other two judges believe that the work submitted [by Cullen] for the Blake Prize shows an engagement with the history and complex symbolism of the crucifixion and on the basis of their assessment we will include the work amongst the finalists."
Say what?
Maybe it looks better in real life. And then again, maybe it doesn't.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Gypse:
06 Aug 2008 12:55:40pm
If he doesn't like it, just don't vote for it.
Why resign?Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Rodney Rich Pig:
06 Aug 2008 12:57:18pm
One thing's certain- The artist can't spell, that's for sure!
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Tank:
06 Aug 2008 2:28:05pm
That's no artist. It's Adam Cullen.
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Chips McGravy:
06 Aug 2008 12:59:23pm
I would have thought that being on a panel of judges means that you have your opinion but that consensus rules.
Sounds like a dummy spit, pure and simple.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Steve:
06 Aug 2008 1:17:24pm
If you subscribe to the view that art should be more than pretty pictures, that it should invoke feelings, or even that it should challenge your views, then clearly this piece has shown itself to be successful.
It's all in the eye of the beholder. If this piece can get two judges (who are presumably well qualified) all hot under the collar then clearly the piece has significant and unusual impact. Maybe they're too attached to their symbols and need to get out more.
But on the other hand, maybe the artist is just an Alice Cooper fan and this is his depiction of a scene from the video clip.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Spider Dijon:
06 Aug 2008 1:37:16pm
Very striking piece all in all.
What was the good doctor doing judging an art prize if he can't handle art? Good move resigning.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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CHERIE L CURRAN :
06 Aug 2008 2:04:24pm
To jean
I wonder will the Day ever Come, when Mans eyes will not be blurred by his insatiable need for Money and Notoriety.
Book of Exodus
Chapter 20 - The Ten Commandments
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any
likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that
is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth:
I guess that applies to images of His Son, Jesus Christ, as well.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate
me;
I don't know how many Generations, we are up to now but I would suspect that the "jealousy factor" ratio, has somewhat, escalated.
George Pell may say that any discussion of Christ is welcomed but this piece of scribble on cardboard, together with Mel Gibson's "Passion of Christ" do nothing for me.
I wonder who these people pay their Royalties to?
Too bad, if Jesus Christ does Return - He will foreclose of the lot of them. That's if his old man doesn't get to 'em first.
Perhaps this Doctor, who quit considered the entry a mockery or might be familiar with the texts above.
I'm sure as hell glad I cannot draw at all, let alone paint. I never could get into that finger painting, at 5 years old and I very much doubt if this entry is an improvement on that form of art.
Some Teachers get you to do the damnedest things!Agree (0) Alert moderator
