Be Not Afraid
Exhibition dates: Apr 13 - Apr 17
Closing reception: Thursday, April 16th 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Chloris Study #2 2026, acrylic paint, ink pen, colored pencil
Solomon’s Altar, 2026, acrylic paint, ink pen, colored pencil
Seraphaeries 2026, colored pencil
Artist Statement
Religion as a concept, and experience often creates feelings of conflict for both critics and believers alike. Rather than depicting the personal challenges of growing up Lutheran and how that translated to my interest in other mythologies, I find it more compelling to explore the specific visuals in the texts I was exposed to that made the whole ordeal emotionally confusing: apocalyptic imagery, magical creatures, and moments of raw power that can be just as terrifying as they are comforting. Through further research, it became apparent that these visuals are just as prevalent in other belief systems as well outside of what I grew up around, leading to the focus of this project being about what sorts of imagery are most essential in cultivating faith.
Drawing from a collection of cultural mythology, folklore, and religious texts for its subject matter, this body of artwork explores imagery prevalent in contemporary society as well as from ancient history. By focusing on macabre transformations of anatomical forms and monstrous beings and deities, the work seeks to overwhelm the viewer with imagery that is both shocking and disquieting, yet visually inspiring and fantastical. Through this tension, it invites the viewers to consider how dread or wonderment might both be instrumental in constructing their own belief system.