NEW YORK—A chief barometer of American culture, religion colors opinions on everything from same-sex marriage and government-funding of birth control to curriculum in public schools and racial profiling at airports. The divisive subject inspired “Beasts of Revelation,” the summer exhibition at D.C. Moore Gallery, a group show that explores images of faith and religion. “One of the undeniable attractions of contemporary art is its ability to pose uncomfortable questions and provoke disturbing answers. But what questions today elicit such a response?” the gallery asks. Religious ones.
For his contribution to the exhibition, Whitfield Lovell stays true to his aesthetic—using early 20th century photographs of anonymous African Americans to draw charcoal portraits that examine issues of family, identity and history. Here, the artist conjures the image of the cross with a tableaux of found texts (including “Hamlet,” which includes many Biblical references) surrounding the portrait of a woman on vintage wood.
“Beasts of Revelation” is on view from June 21 to Aug. 3, 2012.
All photos by Arts Observer
“Crossroads,” 2012 (conte on wood with attached paperback books) by Whitfield Lovell.
Installation view.
Detail of “Crossroads.”
Installation view, “Crossroads” with “TSIRHC,” 2011 (oil on panel) by Dana Frankfort.