Picturing Holy Writ in a Secular Age

Join the CPS community for drinks and hors d’oeuvres followed by a lively panel discussion featuring artist Sam Robertson, whose first book The Illustrated Old Testament was published in 2022 with 11:11 Press. The event is open to the public.

The Center for Premodern Studies will be hosting a Roundtable and Reception with Sam Robertson at Open Book, 1011 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415 on Friday January 27th, from 4PM to 7PM.

Artist Sam Robertson’s first book, The Illustrated Old Testament, published in 2022 by 11:11 Press, is exactly what it sounds like: The Old Testament interspersed with 257 of Robertson’s original pieces, each of which is based on a specific passage in the text. Far from the macabre images many are used to seeing accompany religious texts, Robertson’s illustrations contain vibrant colors, bold lines, and a sense of the absurd. In the roundtable Robertson and Andrew J. Wilt (Publisher, 11:11 Press) will discuss Robertson’s work in the context of the history of illustrated Bibles with scholars Michael Gaudio (UMN, Art History), Rachel Trocchio (UMN, English), Dan Watkins (History, Baylor University), Jennifer Awes-Freeman (United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, UMN Art History), and Carol Veldman Rudie (Museum of Russian Art).

The event is open to the public and will be of interest to scholars of art and religion. But Robertson’s work is not for the erudite few. Anyone curious about how we can reimagine old texts through the lens of the modern world, or how we can creatively revive texts that seem worn out, won’t want to miss this. As Robertson says, “On the surface, I use comedy, vibrant colors, and bold linework to draw the viewer in, but I aim to charge each painting with a vitality deeper and more elemental to our experiences in the 21st century. I explore the expansive and dynamic human spirit and how it clashes against our self-destructive appetites for exploiting each other and pillaging the natural world.” The program will start at 4:30, and the reception will start at 6 or 6:15, depending on when the conversation ends. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

The Center for Premodern Studies at the University of Minnesota is a multidisciplinary community of scholars committed to studying and sharing the past and its continued relevance in innovative ways. Learn more about our events and workshops at our website: https://cla.umn.edu/premodern.

RSVP Here.

Further Reading:

• The New Old Testament: The Good Book Gets Weird by Russ White, 2021