Visual Spirituality Art, Mediums, and Cognitive Dissociation

“Spiritualism, spirituality and art are not normally terms which are written or spoken together. Historically, spiritualism, a religious practice since 1848, and spirituality, a concept thought of as a presence or spiritual 'immanence' within the self (Charlene Spretnak,
Spiritual Dynamic in Modern Art
), and art have never been good bedfellows. Here Barnes's book notes the importance of spirituality in art through the lens of spiritualistic practice by rare spirit artists bringing a new vitality to the innermost core of art.”
—Ann Bridge Davies, Spiritualist art historian, spirit artist and founder of the six classifications of Spiritualist art

“Through her latest book on
Visual Spirituality
, media and visual theorist Susan B. Barnes articulates the need to acknowledge the role of the spiritual in making and experiencing art in contemporary secular visual culture. She calls us to recognize art as intrinsically spiritual and the spiritual as intrinsically art. By balancing rational and intuitive ways of knowing and being (Omniphasism) and inclusively drawing on both rather than shutting out one or the other, humans can enhance their spiritual awareness and connect the spiritual to the art of living.” —Julianne H. Newton, Professor of Visual Communication, University of Oregon