Art, Anarchy & So Much More

Three Figures at the Bases of Crucifixions, photographic triptych

SX magazine, Sydney Letter to the Editor, 5 Sept 2011

Recently Anthony of Mosman asked if my work is art or anarchy (Letters, SX, August 29)? He states that my work and words are an “unbridled attack on the fundamental basis of our society”. And he also asked what is to fill the vacuum if we jettison Christianity?

My answer is, Christ-Consciousness could fill the vacuum. It is inclusive, whereas Christianity excludes. My work for the Blake Prize, which has caused anger among some Christians, is about Christ-Consciousness. Believe me, I understand Anthony’s concerns as I had to as a downcast, unhappy, gay youth renegotiate my own spiritual connection in rejecting Christianity in the 1970s. Whilst Jesus said nothing about homosexuality (a word not coined until the mid-nineteenth century) many of his followers seem obsessed with it. Jesus did however have much to say about love one another.

My “drag queen Christ” figure is inspired by existing evidence that Jesus spent years in India and Tibet and was influenced by teachings of the Buddha and Krishna. For example: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” (Luke 6:41-42) “The faults of others are easier to see than one’s own.” (Undanavarga 27:1) Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) “Consider others as yourself.” (Dhammapada 10:1)

All religious traditions offer a path to achieving Christ Consciousness, and people are free to find their own way. The path is open to anyone regardless of their tradition or sexuality, to become a living vessel of LOVE and TRUTH. Jesus never intended to be portrayed as an idol for us to revere so highly above ourselves that we cannot see the truth right there within each of us.

Spiritual awakening often requires a breakdown. It is time for a cultural reformation and a compete sea change in the way academia, clergy, governments and individuals view and understand our world. We need to set a foundation that unites the spiritual disciplines of East and West and reinterprets the past and acknowledges that we live amidst grand deceptions and aren’t alone in the Universe. Our great religious texts describe contact with extraterrestrial beings mistaken as gods.

As for the question of anarchy, anarchy doesn’t have to imply a complete lack of authority or organization, but can instead refer to a social cohesion lacking a state or a ruler. At the very least Christianity requires this kind of anarchy. As Pope Alice observes, “It’s not so much that the Roman Empire became Christian, but that Christianity became the Roman Empire”. With Chief Homophobe Benedict XVI as the current Caesar we are well overdue for a big wake up call.

Luke Roberts, artist

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September 8, 2011 | Categories: News | Leave A Comment »