Spiritual Traces: Reflections and Conversations on Contemporary Art Hardcover – September 23, 2025

Some of the most compelling spiritual insights today come from artists, both through their art and what they say about it. Yet interviewers and critics rarely ask artists searching questions about their spiritual interests, missing a key feature in the landscape of contemporary art. With a fresh, jargon-free style, Aaron Rosen--a leading scholar, writer, and curator--addresses this gap. He takes readers into studios, galleries, and worship spaces as he paints a compelling picture of art and spirituality today through essays and interviews. As the title suggests, Rosen pays special attention to places where spiritual traces might appear hidden, fleeting, or on the edge of possibility, which creates room for readers to ruminate on their own spiritual leanings and interests. Rosen focuses on close engagements with individual artists, from established names to emerging talents, drawing upon close relationships with artists from across the globe and many traditions. With more than sixty color images of works ranging from paintings to performances, this volume is essential reading for those looking to see art today in a new light. Read more