Rina Arya: Abjection and Aesthetics

Rina Arya is a Professor of Critical and Cultural Theory at the University of Hull, UK. She started her academic career working on the role of the sacred in death of God culture, especially in the paintings of Francis Bacon and writings of Georges Bataille, resulting in her acclaimed book "Francis Bacon: Painting in a Godless World". Her work on Bacon led to research in abjection where she wrote a number of articles and books on the subject, notably "Abjection and Representation." Rina is completing her next book on the cultural appropriation of Hinduism.​

In this conversation, Rina and I explored the areas of intersection between contemporary art and theology, focusing on theological aesthetics, embodiment, abjection, and the role of materiality in religious practices. We also discussed how contemporary artists engage with religious motifs, the impact of digital culture on spiritual experiences, and the importance of contemplative spaces in art. Additionally, we spoke about the evolving nature of religious expression in art and considered the potential for interfaith dialogue through artistic practices.