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Artist Karen Medley with her exhibition, Icons & Nikons
Oracle artist Karen Medley’s new show “Icons & Nikons: A Photographic Journey Towards a Golden Celestial Overload” is at the Triangle L Ranch Land Adobe Barn Gallery. The show began on Nov. 7 and will run through Dec. 21, 2016. The Artist’s Reception was held on Saturday, Nov. 12. A good crowd showed up and the art installation piece was well received.
Karen has lived in Oracle for over 30 years and taught art at San Manuel High School. She received her Bachelors of Art degree from Arizona State University. She did graduate work atUniversity of California, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Karen completed her studies at the J.P. Getty Art Institute of Los Angeles.
Icons & Nikons is named for religious icons or images and the photographs of them that she uses in her art installation.
“This art installation explores my personal connection with the world of spirituality and Christian culture thru religious iconography,” Karen explained.
It was inspired by her recent travels with her husband John through Europe where they visited many cathedrals and art galleries including the Louvre in Paris and the Sistine Chapel.
“It happened in Rome,” Karen said.
The idea or “vision” came to her as she stood on the balcony of their hotel room. She was looking up the street where they had a view of the Roman Colosseum.
Karen says of her project: “When you walk into the barn the walls are empty because I want you to look up to view the religious icons. This is not a traditional way of displaying art. You glance up and catch the fractured mirrored iconic images in this exhibit. It challenges the viewer to search for the iconic images, just as one might search for their own spirituality or a religious experience. The adobe barn brings us closer to more of a humble place for your personal religious/spiritual experience. The viewer will have their own personal experience; it is not just dictated by the iconic images.”
According to Karen, some of the reflections of deep thoughts or “musings” that this work of art may illicit are: Celestial overload; fractured thoughts of spirituality/religion; Celestial
Dream Sky; churches build to the grandeur of God; Do we come away with a unique and different experience/feeling than the grandiose churches of worship; What would we need to add to these images of spiritual/religious iconography?
Karen’s husband Royal John, a published author and poet said of Karen’s art installation: “She lurches toward churches as the statues stare at ya.”
The artist “can’t dictate what the viewer should feel or perceive as art” but this “photographic journey towards a Golden Celestial Overload” will have you come away with your own interpretation and perhaps a spiritual awakening. The display was unique and interesting. The art piece was ever changing depending on your view angle and the changing of the natural sunlight during the day. A breeze coming through the doorway of the barn would slightly move the mirrors reflecting light and changing images. As people look up at the ceiling they may see the fragmented reflections of themselves or the other patrons. They, in a way, become part of the art.
Triangle L Ranch is located at 2805 N. Triangle L Ranch Road Oracle, Arizona 85623. For more information, please call 520-623-6732 or email info@trianglelranch.com
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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