About
Jonathan Anderson is an artist, art critic, and associate professor of art at Biola University. His works have been featured in group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States. In addition to his studio practice, Anderson's research and writing practice focuses on modern and contemporary art, with a particular interest in exploring its relations to religion and theology. He is the coauthor, with theologian William Dyrness, of the book Modern Art and the Life of a Culture: The Religious Impulses of Modernism (IVP Academic, 2016), and he has contributed to various other books and journals, including Religion and the Arts, Christian Scholar's Review, Themelios, ARTS, and SEEN. Professor Anderson has given scholarly presentations at the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University (Society for Christian Scholarship in Music) and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art), and he has received research fellowships from the Center for Christian Thought and the Nagel Institute.
EDUCATION
| 2004 | MFA, Studio Arts: Drawing and Painting California State University Long Beach; Long Beach, CA Distinguished Achievement Award for Creative Activity in Drawing & Painting |
| 2000 | BS, Studio Arts: Drawing and Painting Biola University; La Mirada, CA Torrey Honors Institute summa cum laude |
| 1998 | Roehampton Institute University of Surrey; London, England |
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
| 2006– |
Associate Professor of Art, Biola University; La Mirada, CA (tenured)
ARTS 107: Drawing 1 ARTS 108: Figure Studies 1 ARTS 319: Figure Studies 2 ARTS 308: Painting 2 ARTS 413: Painting 3 ARTS 116: History of Western Art 1: Prehistoric–Medieval ARTS 126: History of Western Art 2: Renaissance–Romanticism ARTS 315: Contemporary Art Trends: 1945–present BBST 465: Contemporary Art and Theology (co-taught) ARTS 410: Art History Travel Seminar: Italy ARTS 410: Art History Travel Seminar: London–Paris ARTS 100: IRIS Seminar: Film and Theology (co-taught) YMDT490: Torrey Honors Seminar: Theology of Spatial Relations |
| 2016–17 |
Executive Director, Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts, Biola University; La Mirada, CA
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| 2006 |
Adjunct Instructor, California State University Long Beach; Long Beach, CA
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| 2005 |
Adjunct Instructor, California State University Dominguez Hills; Carson, CA
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PRESENTATIONS
| 2017 | “Postsecularity and the Return of Religion in Contemporary Art Criticism,” keynote speaker for the Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art (ASCHA) annual conference: A Strange Place Still?: Religion in Contemporary Art, New York, NY Art in a Postsecular Age, 12th annual Biola Arts Symposium (also featuring James Elkins, Sally Promey, Matthew Milliner, Jeffrey Kosky, Lori Branch, Edgar Arceneaux, Amanda Hamilton, and Stuart Krimko), hosted by the Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts, Biola University, La Mirada, CA “The Retrieval of Theology in the Artwork of Kris Martin,” 2017 biennial CIVA conference, Theology and the Visual Arts scholars track: “Art History Made New,” Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA “Beauty and Contemporary Art,” Hildebrand Project 7th annual Summer Seminar: Retrieving Beauty, Franciscan University of Stubenville, Stubenville, OH “Modern Art and the Life of a Culture,” Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA “Modern Art and the Life of a Culture,” St Matthew's Anglican Church, Newport Beach, CA |
| 2016 | panel review of Modern Art and the Life of a Culture (other panelists include Ben Quash, Kim Vrudny, Taylor Worley, Christina Carnes Ananias, and William Dyrness), Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies (SARTS), American Academy of Religion (AAR) Annual Meeting; San Antonio, TX panel review of Modern Art and the Life of a Culture, Theological Aesthetics group, Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) Annual Meeting; San Antonio, TX Featured author interview, “Modern Art and the Life of a Culture,” Anglican Review with Michael Porter, podcast, anglicanreview.libsyn.com “Works of Love: Kierkegaard, Visual Culture, and Contemporary Art,” The Table Conference: Love and Humility in Politics, Center for Christian Thought, Biola University, La Mirada, CA “Visual Theology in a Global Context,” Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA “Lessons from South Africa: Images of Jesus and the Way of the Cross,” Asbury University, Wilmore, KY “Between the Shadow and the Light,” Bethel University, Minneapolis, MN “Always You were Calling Me: A Meditation on Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life,” Torrey Honors lecture series, Biola University, La Mirada, CA; featured on TheFilmStage.com |
| 2015 | “Hugo Ball and the Theology of Zurich Dada,” 2015 biennial CIVA conference, Theology and the Visual Arts scholars track, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI “Centered Sets: Rethinking the Conversation between Contemporary Art and the Church,” plenary session response to Wayne Roosa, 2015 biennial CIVA conference: Between Two Worlds: Contemporary Art and the Church; Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI “Conceptualism and Painting,” California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA “The Intersection of Art, Theology, and Politics in South Africa,” plus roundtable discussion with Dr. Katrina Greene; Biola University, La Mirada, CA |
| 2014 |
“Contemporary Art and the Return of Religion,” video-recorded discussion featuring Matthew Milliner and Jonathan Anderson; Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
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| 2013 | “Singing Bodies: Musical Theology in the work of contemporary artist Tim Hawkinson,” 2013 Forum on Music and Christian Scholarship Conference (keynote Jeremy Begbie); Yale Institute of Sacred Music, New Haven, CT Violence and Peace in Contemporary Art, 8th annual Biola Arts Symposium (also featuring David Bentley Hart, Anne Wilkes Tucker, Bobette Buster, and Lia Chavez), Biola University, La Mirada, CA “Art as Ethical and Eschatological Action,” and panel discussant, Making Good: Creation, the Arts, and the Kingdom, symposium featuring Trevor Hart and William Dyrness; Biola University, La Mirada, CA “Understanding Abstract Expressionism (and its Disputed Significance),” View From the Edge lecture series, Downey Arts Coalition and the Downey Art Museum; Apollo Park, Downey, CA |
| 2012 | “The (In)visibility of Theology in Contemporary Art Criticism,” 2012 Center for Christian Thought Conference: Christian Scholarship in the 21st century: Prospects and Perils (also featuring Nicholas Wolterstorff, Alvin Plantinga, George Hunsinger, Amos Yong, Elizabeth Lewis Hall, Paul Moser, Craig Slane, Dariusz M. Bryćko, Brad Christerson, and Natasha Duquette); Biola University, La Mirada, CA “Contingency and Faithfulness: Francis Alÿs and the (Re)presentation of St. Fabiola,” 2012 national conference for the Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art, Christianity and Latin American Art: Apprehension, Appropriation, Assimilation (in conjunction with 2012 CAA conference in Los Angeles); Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2011 | “Rift: A Meditation on Representational Painting,” California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA |
| 2009 | “Constructions,” George Fox University, Newberg, OR “Impasse: A Meditation on Representational Painting,” in conjunction with solo exhibition Impasse, Biola University, La Mirada, CA “Is the B-I-B-L-E Making a Comeback in Popular Art?: Religious Belief and Contemporary Art,” featuring James Elkins, Ena Heller, and Jonathan Anderson, The Sandbox Monthly podcast, moderated & produced by Barak Wright “Spatial Thinking: An Introduction to Art History,” Wheatstone Academy, La Mirada, CA “Spatial Thinking: An Introduction to Art History,” Wheatstone Academy, La Mirada, CA |
| 2008 | “Groundings: A Meditation on Representational Painting,” in conjunction with solo exhibition Groundings, The 930 Art Gallery, Louisville, KY “Impasse: A Meditation on Representational Painting,” Fire and Ice: Literary Paradox and the Search for Truth, Western Region Conference on Christianity & Literature, Biola University, La Mirada, CA “On the Strange Place of Religion in Contemporary Art” and “Vocation and the Artist of Faith,” moderated panel discussions including James Elkins, Karen Kleinfelder, Daniel A. Siedell, Rachel Hostetter Smith, Roger Feldman, Christina Valentine; Biola University, La Mirada, CA |
AWARDS & HONORS
| 2016 |
Book of the year Award of Merit in Culture and the Arts, Christianity Today, for Modern Art and the Life of a Culture, coauthored with William A. Dyrness
Top Ten Books of the Year, Image Journal, for Modern Art and the Life of a Culture, coauthored with William A. Dyrness |
| 2014 | Founder’s Award Alumnus of the Year, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University |
| 2013 | Research Fellowship, Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity, R5 Visual Arts Seminar in South Africa: 10 American artists, 10 African artists, 2-week research seminar in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, South Africa |
| 2012 | Research Fellowship, Center for Christian Thought, "Christian Scholarship in the Twenty-first Century: Prospects and Perils," Biola University |
| 2011 |
Artist Residency, Whale & Star Studio, Miami, FL
Visiting Professor, Rivendell Sanctuary; two-week art history module in Florence, Italy |
| 2010 | Prism Award, highest award given by the Public Relations Society of America, given for the LA Metro’s "Through the Eyes of Local Artists" neighborhood projects, featuring Gardena (Jonathan Anderson), Little Tokyo, and USC/Expo Park HOW Magazine award for the LA Metro’s "Through the Eyes of Local Artists" neighborhood projects, featuring Gardena (Jonathan Anderson), Little Tokyo, and USC/Expo Park |
| 2004 | Distinguished Achievement Award for Creative Activity in Drawing & Painting, College of the Arts, California State University Long Beach |
| 2002 | Baker Foundation Scholarship |
EXHIBITIONS
| 2014-18 | Between the Shadow and the Light, five works in a group exhibition of 20 artists, curated by Rachel Hostetter Smith. This exhibition opened in Sept 2014 at Xavier University and the George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art in New Orleans and then travels to university galleries throughout North America, including Calvin College, University of St. Thomas, Bethel University, etc. |
| 2017 | Jonathan Anderson: Constructions, curated by Jason Leith, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA, July-Aug |
| 2010–16 | Work: Curse or Calling?, group exhibition of 31 artists, juried by Joel Zwart (director of exhibitions at Calvin College). This exhibition opened at Evangel University in Springfield, MO, and then travels to university galleries throughout North America |
| 2015 |
Yesterday’s Future, one work in a group exhibition, curated by Grace Kook-Anderson, Orange County Great Park Gallery, Irvine, CA, June–Sept
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| 2011–14 | Encountering Place, United States Embassy Residence, Wellington, New Zealand; group exhibition featuring 7 artists from the United States and 6 from New Zealand, curated by Nathan Huff and James Brown, commissioned by the US State Department's "Art in Embassies" program for the duration of Ambassador David Huebner's term |
| 2011 | Resonant Vision, The 930 Art Gallery, Louisville, KY; group exhibition featuring 9 artists (including Dayton Castleman, Tim Lowly, Greg King, Alison Stigora, et al.), curated by Michael Winters, Mar–Apr Excavations and Constructions: Jonathan Anderson and Nathan Huff, Sixpack Projects at Phantom Galleries, Long Beach, CA; two-person exhibition, curated by Jeff Rau (Sixpack Projects), Jan–Feb |
| 2010 | Gardena Neighborhood Project commission, Los Angeles Metro System, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2009 | Jonathan Anderson: Constructions & Kurt Simonson: Northwoods Journal, Minthorne Art Gallery, George Fox University; Newberg, OR; two-person exhibition, Nov Impasse: Recent Paintings by Jonathan Anderson, Biola University Art Gallery; La Mirada, CA Solo exhibition, Aug–Sept Culture?, CIVA biennial national conference, Bethel University, Minneapolis, MN; juried group exhibition, juried by Daniel A. Siedell (Professor of Art History & Criticism at University of Nebraska, Omaha), June Out of School: Work by Selected Faculty from Southern California's Leading Art Schools, City of Brea Art Gallery, Brea, CA; invitational group exhibition (21 artists, including Roger Herman, Doug Harvey, Caroline Clerc, etc.), Jan–Feb |
| 2008 | Groundings: Paintings by Jonathan Anderson, The 930 Art Gallery, Louisville, KY; solo exhibition, July–Aug Through a Glass Dimly, Biola University Art Gallery, La Mirada, CA; group exhibition, Feb–Mar |
| 2007 | Reflections: Self-Portraits by Biola Students & Faculty, La Mirada, CA; group exhibition, Dec Discourses: Selected Works 2003-2006, Broadlind, Long Beach, CA; solo exhibition, Mar–May Art LA 2007, represented by Gallery De Soto, Santa Monica Civic Center, Santa Monica, CA, Jan |
| 2006 | Public Face, Cal National Bank, Long Beach, CA; installation organized by ((Echo)) Long Beach, June City of Angels, City of Art, a benefit auction for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, directed by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, represented by Gallery De Soto, Marvimon, Los Angeles, CA; Group Exhibition, May Best In Show, Gallery De Soto, Los Angeles, CA; group exhibition, Apr–May Groundings, A Shenere Velt Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; solo exhibition, Mar–Apr Systematics: Theologies of Complexity, CSU Long Beach Werby Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, curated by Jonathan Anderson, organized by ((Echo)) Long Beach, Mar Biola University Faculty Exhibition, Biola University Art Gallery, La Mirada, CA; group exhibition, Feb Art LA 2006, represented by Gallery De Soto, Santa Monica Civic Center, Santa Monica, CA, Jan |
| 2005 | The World in Their Eye: CSUDH Faculty Exhibition, University Art Gallery, CSU Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA; Group exhibition, curated by Kathy Zimmerer, Oct–Nov Memorability, Koo's Art Center, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, curated by Jonathan Anderson, organized by ((Echo)) Long Beach, June–July The Human Figure, Long Beach Arts Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, juried by Domenic Cretara (professor of Drawing/Painting at CSU Long Beach), May–June Sacred Discontent: A Traveler's Guide to the Apocalyptic, Platform West Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, curated by Jonathan Anderson, organized by ((Echo)) Long Beach, Mar–Apr |
| 2004 | Revealing/Reviling, Viento y Agua Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, Oct Regime Change, A Shenere Velt Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; group exhibition, juried by Eric Gordon, Sept–Oct Talking In Circles, Acuna-Hansen Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; group exhibition, June–July 47th Annual International Exhibition, Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park (San Diego Art Institute), San Diego, CA; group exhibition, juried by Peter Gordon (curator at the San Jose Museum of Art), May–June Hand Picked: Young Artist Alumni Show, Biola University Art Gallery, La Mirada, CA; group exhibition, juried by Mary Kay Lombino (curator of exhibitions at the University Art Museum, CSULB), Feb Explorations in Faith and Form, Damah Gallery, Sundance Film Festival, Park City, UT; group exhibition, curated by Ira Lippke, Jan Inner Worlds, Beacon Street Studio, Venice, CA; group exhibition, curated by Venice Art Collective, Jan |
| 2003 | Veritas, SPACE Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; solo exhibition, Dec–Jan A Meditation On Noble Intentions, Max L. Gatov Gallery, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA; solo MFA thesis exhibition, Nov Insights, California State University Long Beach Art Museum, Long Beach, CA; juried group exhibition, May |
| 2002 | M.F.A.A.S., Max L. Gatov Gallery, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA; juried group exhibition, Nov Body::Mined, Max L. Gatov Gallery, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA; juried group exhibition, Nov America, Second City Council Art Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, juried by Betti-Sue Hertz (curator of contemporary art at the San Diego Museum of Art), June–July Insights, California State University Long Beach Art Museum, Long Beach, CA; juried group exhibition, May Decay:Regeneration, Labrys Art Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, Apr |
| 2001 | CSULB Graduate Students, Second City Council Art Gallery, Long Beach, CA; juried group exhibition, Nov Nucleus, Grand Canyon University Art Gallery, Phoenix, AZ; group exhibition, curated by Tim Timmerman, Oct–Nov Color and Process, Labrys Art Gallery, Long Beach, CA; group exhibition, June–Aug The Already and the Not Yet, The Veritas Forum, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; group exhibition, Apr |
| 2000 | Subversive Studios, Buena Park, CA; group exhibition, Nov In ternal Blue, Biola University Art Gallery, La Mirada, CA; solo Bachelor's thesis exhibition, May |