[frame_left][/frame_left]

Raising the Dead
An Exhibition of The Forum @ St. Ann’s

On view in the church May 25 – July 27

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church will present Raising the Dead, an exhibition of sculptures by Sandra Osip and paintings by Douglas James. The second in a series of visual art programs at the church, Raising the Dead is a presentation of The Forum @ St. Ann’s, which seeks to engage the community in conversation about the arts, ideas and civic life. All of the works are for sale, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit future programming at St. Ann’s.

[frame_left][/frame_left]

The exhibition’s title suggests the tension caused by human ambivalence and fascination with death. Osip and James are inspired by different desolate landscapes, yet are similarly drawn to the vibrancy of past lives they discover there, creating an expansive view of loss that is both personal and universal.

For the past decade, Osip has been investigating both environmental and economic disparity. As a native of Detroit, her perspective is nostalgic, but also common to all who have lived amidst or experienced such urban decline and decay. Her arresting sculptures of derelict, graffiti-tagged houses will be displayed in the church narthex, just inside the church entrance.

Osip recently visited her old neighborhood, and discovered her childhood home was no longer standing. She explains the impetus and inspiration for her current work this way: “Detroit, this once powerful city is no longer; [my] fond memories are now vanished. The decayed homes and buildings, and overgrown lots, are all the remembrance I have left of my childhood.”

James, who also grew up in Detroit, is influenced by his travels in the Southwestern U.S., where he photographed descansos, or roadside memorials, marked with crosses and plastic flowers that are along major roads and highways. He translated his images into watercolor and acrylic paintings, breathing new life into these homages to death with a vivid color palette. James’ descansos, and another large scale still life, will hang in the sanctuary of the church.

The works will be on view Tuesdays through Thursdays, 12 noon – 2:00 pm, Sundays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, two Saturdays, June 7 and June 21, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and by appointment by contacting the parish office at 718-875-6960 or office@stannholytrinity.org.

Works by Sandra Osip may be viewed at http://sandraosip.com
Works by Douglas James may be viewed at http://douglasjamespaintings.com

Top image: Beautiful Homes and Gardens, sculpture by Sandra Osip
Lower image: Roadworker, painting by Douglas James