New Dogmatic

This painting is looking to Christianity, Catholicism and the Church of England - all
religions that have spread from the words of Jesus.

The intent of this work is to question dogmatic notions of religion focusing on parents who
force their children to follow their own religion. I’m curious to thoughts if this practice was made illegal, would the religions of the land dissolve away after a few generations? After all Professor Dawkins has proved once a child is
indoctrinated in a rigorous religious upbringing it is difficult for the child to critically think beyond their original initial dogmatic education; a form of brainwashing? The Crow represents the dark side to this painting as the manipulation of power over others.

I did not want to appear Christian bashing, I believe there are many positive aspects of
the religion, and the unquestioned life after all is a life in ignorance. I think to the Bible and there are many positive ideas and notions presented. I have represented these as the leaf cutting ants climbing up the scaffold crucifix towards the child.

I have also added ants carrying an Apple Mac, I wanted to show how consumerism, especially
Apple have their products presented in their shops as items worthy of worship. Look at the altarpiece display tables, the lighting and how they help create frenzy when opening there stores. I also like the connotations of the Apple and the Garden of Eden associations to this piece; perhaps technology is the new Garden of Eden, but this also presents us with problematic dilemmas… shall we indulge completely in the apple? Or shall we just eat it when were in need of one of our five a day? Questions into the overuse of technology over spiritual pursuits and addictions into this new fast expanding technology.