Painting 1 Enoch: Biblical Interpretation, Theology, and Artistic Practice

Esler, Philip F ORCID: 0000-0002-4889-4889 and Pryor, Angus ORCID: 0000-0002-1439-283X (2020) Painting 1 Enoch: Biblical Interpretation, Theology, and Artistic Practice. Biblical Theology Bulletin: Journal of Bible and Culture, 50 (3). pp. 136-153. doi:10.1177/0146107920934698

Preview

Text 8291-Esler-Pryor-(2020)-Painting-1-Enoch.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 4.0. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

This article inaugurates a new approach to biblical interpretation that involves close collaboration on a particular text between a biblical interpreter (Philip Esler) and a practicing artist (Angus Pryor) culminating in the production of works of art that generate a new understanding of the text in question. This approach reflects the recent scholarly interest in how artists who paint biblical scenes are active interpreters of biblical texts. Here the text selected is 1 Enoch, while the artworks in question are four 2 x 2 meter paintings, in oil on canvas, that depict pivotal scenes from that text. The collaboration draws on Ethiopian tradition reflecting the scriptural status and widespread influence of 1 Enoch in Ethiopia and the fact that the complete text of the work was only preserved there until its rediscovery in modern times. The interpretative process includes a focus on the original meaning of 1 Enoch, which then influences the creation of artworks laden with theological meaning. This approach is equally available to interpreters more interested in the contemporary (rather than the historical) meaning of other biblical and extra-biblical texts where the connection with national traditions, if present, may be quite different.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1 Enoch; biblical interpretation; artistic practice; Ethiopia; Ethiopian Orthodox
Related records:	Deus Victor: The Nature and Defeat of Ev... God’s Court and Courtiers in the Book of... The Blessing of Enoch: 1 Enoch and Conte... 1 Enoch: an artist's response
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BS The Bible B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BT Doctrinal Theology N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR N Fine Arts > ND Painting
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Creative Arts
Research Priority Areas:	Creative Practice and Theory Culture, Continuity, and Transformation
Depositing User:	Anne Pengelly
Date Deposited:	14 Apr 2020 15:33
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:22
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/8291

University Staff: Request a correction | Repository Editors: Update this record