“Art of Faiths – Religions of the World: Diversity and Tolerance” opens at Waterworks Visual Arts Center Monday and runs through Feb 9. An opening reception will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m.
Through an assemblage of photographs, paintings and mixed media works, seven contemporary artists express their personal relationships to their faiths including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity.
A practitioner of the ancient Islamic art of calligraphy, Syed Ahmad of Salisbury creates abstract contemplative works in glass, using a technique called glass fusing. He is fascinated by patterns found in nature, and playing with patterns is his attempt to have a conversation with the Grand Designer.
His work will be on display in the Stanback Gallery Hall.
Abstract quilted paintings of deep personal and universal faith define Hillsborough fiber artist Alice Levinson’s body of work. Frequent sources of inspiration are biblical and liturgical text, as well as Hebrew poetry.
A self-taught artist, Levinson employs a broad range of surface design processes in her non-traditional cloth constructions.
“Nature’s forms and patterns are prominent motifs in my work, providing a visual language for exploring human experience,” she says. Her work is featured in the Norvell Gallery.
Photographer Robert Radin of Venice, Calif., was born into a Jewish family that immigrated from Russia to New York City. He started taking pictures on a mountain trek to Tibet in 1978.
Radin’s exhibition, An Endless Quest, features vibrant and poignant images showcasing other cultures and places from his travels around the world representing a 32-year timeframe.
“Many of my shots I did not take as much as they took me,” he says. His photographs will be on view in the Young People’s Gallery.
Four artists in a group show exhibit an array of artwork in the Osborne and Woodson Galleries highlighting their spiritual journeys through the creative process.
? Photography by Shireen Alborno of Charlotte tears down the stereotype that is attached to her religion and lifestyle as a Muslim.
? Asheville artist G. Carol Bomer is an abstract expressionist painter whose concern is the human condition surprised by the grace of God.
? Robert Crum of Salisbury is an oil painter, muralist and mosaicist. Spirituality has always been an important part of his creative journey. The exploration of his own faith and religious practices of others led him to his current body of work.
? Betti Pettinati-Longinotti of Winston-Salem works in drawing, painting and flat glass. She is professed to the Order of Secular Franciscans and her spirituality is evident within her inspired work.
An opening reception will be Friday. Informal gallery talks with the artists begin at 5 p.m., followed by the reception from 6-8 p.m., which is free and open to the public.