The Cycle of Energy for the Thought of the Baby

Name/Title

The Cycle of Energy for the Thought of the Baby

Entry/Object ID

2017.3.8

Description

In this painting, Holley depicts a face set in profile, executed in a muted green palate. Inside the figure's head, as if a part of its mind, is a small black figure curled up like a baby. In the background the figure of a sun or pulsing energy source encases the head, rays emitting ambiguously from both the head and the sun's red sphere. Holley believes divine intervention led him to create his artwork, and thus deep religious faith underlies many of his works, inspiring his use of symbolism and granting his art an autonomous life-force. The work is painted on found materials, as was Holley's common practice.

Artwork Details

Medium

plywood, paint

Collection

Southern Vernacular Art Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2017.3

Source or Donor

Hill, Lou and Calynne

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Holley, Lonnie

Role

Artist

Date made

n.d.

Dimensions

Height

34 in

Width

39-3/4 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

Lonnie Holley (b.1950) Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Holley began creating his art in 1979 after a house fire tragically killed two of his nieces. Holley believes that divine intervention led him to create his artwork, and thus a deep faith underlies many of his works. In the beginning, Holley constructed his sculptures primarily out of industrial-grade sandstone, but later expanded his materials to include discarded wire, scrap metal, and wood. By the mid-1980s, Holley branched into painting influenced by West African, Egyptian, and Pre-Columbian era artwork.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

January 25, 2017