Luke Sullivan Explained

Luke Sullivan (born 30 March 1961, in Singapore) is an Australian visual artist most notable for his internationally controversial work, The Fourth Secret of Fatima.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Sullivan's practice is considered to be representative of Eclecticism, a European tangent of Postmodernism that emphasizes the artist's obligation to explore diverse subject matter, mediums and referencing. Since the 1990s, the movement has taken a more critical examination of social, political, religious and corporate institutions, and includes the UK's Tracey Emin and America's Tom Sachs.^[4]

Since 2000, Sullivan's work has moved from a predominantly constructionist application of found objects and materials, to a more complex exploration of style and medium. Terrorism, Religious Symbolism and Iconography, Environmental degradation and social mores form much of Sullivan's subject matter.^[5] Rhythm Method 2007, a work referencing the only form of contraception approved by The Vatican, was exhibited at London's Royal Academy of Arts in the same year, further building the artist's reputation for irreverent social and religious commentary.^[6]

The Fourth Secret of Fatima

In August 2007, Sullivan's work The Fourth Secret of Fatima became the focus of international media attention and is regarded as one of the most provocative and controversial works of religious art since Andres Serrano's Piss Christ. The piece, a statue of the Virgin Mary wearing a burqa, was intended to draw attention to the oppression of women in dogmatic forms of religion such as Islam, but ignited world-wide debate and condemnation in the media. Exhibited with fellow Australian artist Priscilla Brack's incendiary image of Jesus Christ morphing into Osama bin Laden, the works were reported in over 250 international newspapers as well as broad network coverage including Reuters, CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera. Leading a wave of political and religious condemnation, then Australian Prime Minister John Howard declared the work to be "gratuitously offensive".^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]}

In the aftermath to the controversy ABC's Virginia Haussegger noted,

"In the tradition of some of the greatest art scandals, Luke Sullivan's work has challenged, provoked and unsettled everyone who has laid eyes on it".

^{[20] [21] [22] [23]}

In his 2008 exhibition, Freestyler, Sullivan expanded his oeuvre to include paintings of air disasters and hijackings. His recreation of Flight 175's infamous approach moments before its collision with the World Trade Center was explained by the artist as "a painting of an image that had been burnt into my psyche".

Notes and References

1. http://reuters.viewdle.com/video?vid=C417-RELIGIOUSART-1188516406.mpg&pid=bebc09f3ec1a3d94d3664dcb25efebc7 "Bin Laden & Virgin Mary in Art Row"
2. http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/09/furor-over-artw.html "Furor over Burqa-clad Virgin Mary, Jesus morphing into Osama bin Laden"
3. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22333103-661,00.html "Fury on Virgin Mary's Burqa"
4. http://www.cacsa.org.au/cvapsa/2007/11_bs_36_4/BS_36_4morrell.pdf "Art and Blasphemy"
5. See Eclecticism in art
6. http://www.harrisongalleries.com.au/artists/luke-sullivan Luke Sullivan
7. Royal Academy Illustrated 2007, Bill Woodrow RA, Page 174, Royal Academy of Arts Publications,
8. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE1D91E3CF932A0575BC0A9619C8B63&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Christian-Muslim Mix in Art Stirs Furore in Australia"
9. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22330964-5001021,00.html "Artists Mock Christian Faith Again"
10. http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKSYD27380920070830 "Christ-like Bin Laden Image Stirs Debate in Australia"
11. https://www.questia.com/PM.qst;jsessionid=HvyhJyj7xR6Rfn3YWQvxhBpvdQjnm50sG751gB1dWgk1pMpvFJJq!71729228?a=o&d=5022621602 "Australian Art Exhibition Angers Critics"
12. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23767075-5015662,00.html Godly Works Provide a Mixed Blessing
13. http://www.blakeprize.com.au/news/the-nerve-between-pop-culture-and-religious-fundamentalism "The Nerve between Pop Culture and Religious Fundamentalism"
14. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22336096-2702,00.html "Pell Pans Tedious Insult in Art Prize"
15. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/outrage-over-portrait-of-bin-laden-as-jesus-christ-463699.html "Outrage over Portrait of Bin Laden as Jesus Christ"
16. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22330964-5001021,00.html "Once Again Sneering Artists Mock the Christian Faith"
17. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P3-1474826501.html Surfies Versus Westies: Mateship & Sexuality in the Cronulla Riot
18. http://blogs.abc.net.au/articulate/2007/08/art-and-religio.html Art and Religion, Again
19. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/30/2019309.htm Jesus-Osama Piece Not Meant to Offend
20. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,22330998-5007146,00.html "Is Osama bin Christ Art or is it Sacrilege"?
21. "For Art’s Sake Let’s Stop Mortal Spin on Mary Burqa", Virginia Haussegger, Canberra Times, September 2007
22. http://www.fsrinc.org/fir/mcphillips.htm Feminism In Religion
23. http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/art-prize-judge-quits-in-disgust/2008/08/05/1217702042611.html "Art Prize Judge Resigns in Disgust"