Since its inception, MOCRA, SLU’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, has stood as an exhibition space meant to glorify the dynamism of contemporary art and the various faith traditions that inspire artistic creation. The museum opened its doors 15 years ago as the world’s first interfaith museum of contemporary art, and this former chapel has been transformed into a center for religious and artistic discussion.

To celebrate this crystal anniversary, the museum’s curator, Terrence E. Dempsey, S.J., has planned an exhibit that combines elements from the museum’s past 35 exhibitions. “Pursuit of the Spirit,” a look back into the museum’s diverse past, flushes out the 10 major themes that have surfaced during the years.

The categories in the exhibition range from the expected-“Sacred Spaces,” an artistic take on the literal spaces of religious worship-to the ultra-modern “Found Object.”

Dempsey stated that what he, “tried not to do what was predictable,” and this show is anything but that. It is an amalgamation of theme, media and style.

The artists being shown come from such varied religious and cultural backgrounds that the culminating show is unexpected and thought-provoking. Indeed, there is something for everyone, in the show.

The represented styles range from Abstract Expressionist paintings to sculpture and large-format Polaroid. This exhibit combats the dismissive attitude that usually accompanies contemporary art.

“Many artists are now trying to reconnect with the religious experience, in part, as a rejection of materialism, narcissism and cynicism of the contemporary art world,” said Dempsey, and the artists’ spirituality seems to seep onto the canvas and becomes as integral a component as the paint itself.

The religious undertones of the works lend some depth that even the most pessimistic critic would be hard pressed to ignore. Given the thematic scope of the museum, one can be sure that they will not leave maintaining that they “could have painted that.”

The major themes of the show are divided amongst the space’s side chapels. From chapel to chapel, the pathos alters greatly. The art challenges the viewer to seek the meaning within the ostensibly enigmatic images. The categorized chapels make the guessing game easier. One feels their own insignificance in a vast and unknown world. A large-scale photograph of a foreboding sea consumes the viewer’s attention. From there, one enters the main gallery space that holds the exhibit’s larger pieces. A large sculptural Star of David hangs from the wall, seemingly dripping with chunks of red flesh. This chilling reminder of the Holocaust brings forward the message of inter-religious acceptance.

The retrospective is a promising look back into MOCRA’s artistic history. The museum is situated across from Campus Ministry on West Pine Mall. “The Pursuit of the Spirit” runs through Dec. 14.