A global journey through sacred altars, contemporary expressions of faith, and the enduring power of spiritual artistry.
Installation view of ‘Nothing Too Beautiful for the Gods’. Courtesy of Fondation Opale.
Fondation Opale in Lens/Crans-Montana presents its new exhibition, ‘Nothing Too Beautiful for the Gods,’ a carte blanche to French curator Jean-Hubert Martin. This exhibition delves into the vast and diverse artistic expressions of human spirituality, bringing together over 60 works that explore the intersections of faith, devotion, and contemporary art.
Structured into three thematic sections, the exhibition begins with altars from cultures worldwide, bridging sacred architecture and ceremonial objects within a museum context. It then introduces artists, often marginalised, born in the first half of the 20th century and whose work directly engages with their spiritual beliefs. These artists embrace both religious traditions and modern or avant-garde art. The final section highlights a new generation of artists who, free from post-colonial constraints, seek recognition for their cultures—particularly Indigenous ones—and emphasise religious themes, whether dogmatic, shamanic, or animist.
Art has always been a means of expressing faith, gratitude, and the search for transcendence. Across cultures, sculptures, paintings, altars, songs, dances, and rituals have served as vehicles for honouring gods or spirits and connecting with higher realms. Even for those who do not adhere to a specific religious tradition, artistic creation can become a quest for meaning and unity with a supreme entity, drawing inspiration from nature, philosophy, meditation, or mystical sources. ‘Nothing Too Beautiful for the Gods’ illustrates how these practices, far from being relics of the past, continue to shape and enrich contemporary artistic discourse.
The exhibition presents an extraordinary dialogue between traditional and contemporary works, showcasing artistic creations from African, Caribbean, Oceanic, and Asian spiritual traditions alongside modern interpretations. Notable contemporary artists such as Kimsooja, El Anatsui, Sandra Vasquès de la Horra, and Christian Boltanski engage with these themes, reinterpreting expressions of devotion from a contemporary perspective.
In today’s art world, where cultural and disciplinary boundaries are increasingly fluid, this exhibition examines the role of the sacred in contemporary society. One featured work, created in situ by Anmatyerr artists from the Napperby community in Australia’s Central Desert, exemplifies how these traditions remain vibrant and dynamic, continuing to inspire today’s creators rather than being frozen in time.
‘Nothing Too Beautiful for the Gods’ also invites reflection on the relationship between art, spirituality, and culture. By expanding conventional definitions of art, visitors are encouraged to reconsider how Western institutions have historically categorised and constrained artistic expression. The exhibition challenges these limitations by bringing Indigenous visual traditions into the contemporary art conversation, revealing their continued relevance and impact.
Curated by Jean-Hubert Martin, with Tijs Visser and Georges Petitjean, the exhibition features an impressive roster of artists from across the globe:
- AFRICA: Cyprien Tokoudagba, El Anatsui, Hervé Youmbi, Jean-Jacques Efiaimbelo, Romuald Hazoumè, Younès Rahmoun.
- AMERICA: José Bedia Valdés, Mestre Didi, Ricardo Linares Garcia, Rubem Valentim, Sandra Vasquès de la Horra, Santos Motoapohua de la Torre.
- ASIA: Kazuo Shiraga, Kimsooja, Saodat Ismailova.
- EUROPE: Art Orienté Objet (Marion Laval-Jeantet & Benoît Mangin), Christian Boltanski, Deidi von Schaewen, Hermann Nitsch, Marina Abramović and Ulay.
- OCEANIA: Cliffy Tommy, Martin Hagan, Michael Pengart Tommy, Morris Wako, Freda Brady, Iluwanti Ken, Imatjala Pollard, Keith Stevens, Leah Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Nyunmiti Burton, Sylvia Ken, Tanya Brady, Taylor Cooper, Teresa Baker, Witjiti George, Yaritji Young, George Nuku, Jimmy Njiminjuma, Narritjin Maymuru.
‘Nothing Too Beautiful for the Gods’ invites visitors to explore how spirituality continues to inspire artistic creation worldwide. Through this exhibition, Fondation Opale challenges preconceptions and highlights the profound connections between belief, artistic expression, and cultural identity.
The exhibition is on view until April 20, 2025. For more information, please visit Fondation Opale.
