`FIGURING FAITH` FIONA RANKIN-SMITH, FIRST EDITION

"FIGURING FAITH" FIONA RANKIN-SMITH, 2011, FIRST EDITION, HARDCOVER, 287 PAGES, COMPLETE INTACT DUSTJACKET, IN FINE UNREAD CONDITION

Figuring Faith: Images of Belief in Africa arose from an exhibition of the same name at the Standard Bank Gallery in 2006, curated by Fiona Rankin-Smith. The book documents and extends the exhibition, bringing together the debates and discussions on faith and art that the exhibition gave rise to, and shedding light on the ways in which art interprets, exemplifies and challenges belief and ritual. Faith and religious belief are frequently debated and contested in South Africa, given our many cultural expressions and value systems, and a liberal constitution that permits same-sex unions, polygamy, freedom of sexual orientation and freedom of religious expression. Religion has shaped South Africas political history too. Dutch Reformed Church doctrine was used to justify the apartheid regimes racist laws, while other Christian denominations as well as other faiths were vociferous and active opponents of the regime.

Through full colour images and wide-ranging essays, Figuring Faith explores this history, as well as themes such as sacred spaces, death and sacrifice, taboo, the missionary gaze, the demonic, ancestors and spirit presences, confession, catharsis and revelation. Its consideration of historical, traditional and contemporary artworks makes it a major contribution to our understanding of arts relationship to the human desire for transcendence. Essays by William Kentridge, Colin Richards, Jonathan Hyslop, Anitra Nettleton, Clive van den Berg, Michael Godby, Federico Freschi, Churchill Madikida, Santu Mofokeng, Achille Mbembe, Reshma Chhiba, Karen von Veh, Hentie van der Merwe, Isabel Hofmeyr, Anitra Nettleton, Rayda Becker, Alex Zaloumis, Jane Taylor, Makgathi Mokwena, Deborah Posel, Sue Williamson.