Distinguished Irish Artist Opens New Lazarus Exhibit at JBU
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Oct. 22, 2019) – Distinguished Irish artist and sculptor Ross Wilson will open a new exhibition, The Calling of Lazarus—60 Portraits, at the John Brown University Windgate Art Gallery with an opening reception and gallery talk on Friday, Nov. 1, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Specifically created for this JBU exhibition, the 60 portraits are symbolic of the 60 seconds that would have framed the miracle call of Jesus, which consisted only of a name and two words: "Lazarus, come out ."
Wilson says the portraits show Lazarus at the point of animation, resurrection and at the moment he hears the voice of life, the voice of his friend Jesus.
"Jesus Christ unlocked the doors of death for his friend Lazarus by calling him into life," said Wilson. "A call that Jesus Christ still makes today through his gospel, calling souls from the darkness of death and sin into the sweet, sweet liberty of grace, life and salvation."
Wilson has been a visiting speaker at Harvard, Wheaton, Oxford and Cambridge Universities and the National Portrait Gallery London. His commissions include Nobel Laureates Seamus Heaney and Derek Walcott for the National Portrait Gallery in London and sculpture commissions for the CS Lewis Centenary Sculpture East Belfast and the Titanic Yardmen Sculpture.
Wilson has been honored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, British Empire Medal for services to charity and outreach work among underprivileged communities in Northern Ireland.
The Windgate Gallery is located in the Windgate Visual Arts West building on the JBU campus in Siloam Springs. The exhibit will run through Dec. 15.
While visiting, Wilson will speak in several JBU classes and give a presentation "Vincent: A Journey Inside the World of Vincent van Gogh" on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Simmons Great Hall at JBU.
For additional information about the JBU Windgate Gallery, go to www.jbu.edu/art/gallery or contact Jeannie Abbott at jabbott@jbu.edu.
##30##
