Religion and spirituality are two cornerstones of contemporary art. Both are ever present in religious paintings as they are in most other types of art. Spirituality is a subjective state of mind while religion pertains to a group of customs, beliefs, or observances shared by a particular community. Contemporary artists explore spirituality through their portrayals of God, Heaven, Buddha, Allah, and other divine beings. Many modern people have a more concrete knowledge of God through religion and spirituality in contemporary art. Some artists have a strong knowledge of religion and spirituality and use this to shape their visual art.

Art historians and critics speculate on the impact of spiritual art on popular art. They also study the impact of spiritual art in contemporary society. Art scholars have categorized spiritual paintings into two categories. First, there are works that simply depict religious ideas or themes. Second, there are works that are consciously intended as works of spirituality.

Art historians and critics also note that contemporary art has adopted many of the religious symbols and ideas of the past centuries. The crucifix, for example, has long been a common symbol for Christianity and other religious movements. In recent years, the work of Andy Warhol has popularized the hamburger and holy water image. Many other artists have followed in his footsteps and incorporated spiritual experiences and church into their art forms.

The church is no longer a monolithic institution but many people perceive it as such. It is represented by the hierarchical structure of the church - the priest on top, the church staff in suits, the congregation, who are all beneath the church canopy. Many artists have explored this concept in their work, portraying the church as a place of refuge and enlightenment. Religious paintings by contemporary artists have often used elements from the church to interpret spiritual experiences.

Religious artwork by contemporary artists can be viewed as a reaction to the increasing secularization of contemporary life. Many of these works explore the idea of spirituality and religion as an internal journey of the individual towards enlightenment and understanding. Others represent concepts of churchgoing and spiritual living. There are also works that celebrate the spirituality of specific denominations.

For many churchgoers, art forms are a powerful way to express their devotion and their values. They value the importance of art in their lives and many choose to hang church pictures or church art in their homes and churches. Some use their pieces as decorations and props in services and worship.

Others choose not to display or show their artwork because they believe that there are many different definitions for what constitutes "religion." There are many definitions for what is considered to be spiritual, according to many religions. There are those who define religion as something that is based on emotion, a particular set of beliefs, or a personal connection with a Higher Power. Others base their spiritual beliefs on a book of books called the Bible.