Art is a primary vehicle for conveying spiritual and religious experiences, from intense personal insights to the shared stories that help form a community. This exhibition highlights two general approaches employed by artists to express the religious and spiritual dimensions. Figurative works portray or reference the human body, often with a narrative element.
Instead, processes, materials, and colors take on greater importance. Considered one of the most creative and original visual artists of the 20th century, Romare Bearden was a powerful social critic and advocate for young African American artists. He worked in many media, including collage and photomontage, and his projects included designing sets for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Bearden drew on personal memories, African American cultural history, and literature to situate the African American experience within the context of universal themes. How does our perception shift when these images challenge the constraints of culture, era, geography, or faith tradition? He works in a range of media and creates images and objects that explore identity.
In he was commissioned to present queer icon flags as part of the World Pride march. The artist sees these individuals as heroes and honors them accordingly. Finding inspiration in portraiture styles of Renaissance, Flemish and Christian Orthodox paintings, the series aims to elevate these multi-dimensional, powerful and proud contemporary figures.
Brooklyn-based artist Lesley Dill works at the intersection of language and fine art in printmaking, sculpture, installation and performance.
