Tonight I attended an exhibit opening at La Llorona Art Gallery (1474 W. Webster, Chicago) which primarily featured the iconic art of Lewis Williams (23 works) and Robert Lentz (9 works), as well as a few iconic prints and drawings of the artists, William Nichols and David Csicsko. Working in stylized Byzantine manner, Williams and Lentz have created images of saints who have been pushed to the margins of the Christian canon of saints and holy figures, who on account of their gender and or sexuality, have not been fully recognized in word, nor represented in imagery. Thus, the work serves as a corrective to the Church's censorship.
Though none of the works in the gallery are for sale, small reproductions are on sale at the gallery, and larger size reproductions can be purchased from Trinity Stores.
In contrast to traditional icons, the faces in these iconic paintings are distinctive, not generic. Also, the intensity and range of colors used in these iconic paintings draws from a much wider selection of colors (thanks to modern technology and chemistry) than was ever available to artists from the mid-nineteenth century when more colors began to gradually become available. However, like traditional icons, these works have a flat appearance, and imaginative treatment of shading of robes and hair. The backgrounds are typically plain color fields, whether gold leaf or a contrasting color to the figures clothing.
Seeing over thirty such original commissioned iconic works displayed altogether is a rare experience, and anyone with an interest in such work should see them thus before the exhibit ends.
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To learn more about the stories behind the icons see a book written by Dennis O'Neill:
http://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Holiness-Marginalized-Christian-Distinctive/dp/1412039401
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------La Llarona Gallery specializes in fine Mexican and Latin American Art.
We carry pieces from masters and contemporary artists.
1474 W. Webster
Chicago IL, 60614
773-281-8460
Upcoming Exhibition
"PASSIONATE HOLINESS"
Friday, June 18, 2010
6P.M. to 1A.M
Exhibition runs trough July 18th, 2010
http://www.lalloronagallery.com/lalloronagallery/index.htm
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