On view in the drawing gallery are new small-scale paintings by James Barsness. Titled “Short Stories,” the works in the show use biblical narratives as their source, for example “Lot’s Wife,” “The Temptation of St Anthony,” and “St Catharine in the Desert.” The small scale – the sizes range from 11 x 10 to 27 x 21 inches – also reflects the compacted narrative and overlaid imagery typically found in illuminated manuscripts.
Jim Barsness, born in 1954 in Bozeman, MT, currently lives and works in Athens, GA where he is associate professor at the Dodd School of Art, University of Georgia. He was recently awarded a residency at Djerassi Resident Artists Program and exhibits regularly across the U.S.
1.
The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert, 2010
acrylic, gold leaf on paper mounted on canvas
21 1/2 x 20 inches
JBARp 69
2.
Lot's Wife, 2011
acrylic, gold leaf on paper mounted on canvas
26 x 20 1/2 inches
JBARp 71
3.
The Devil's Rain, 2011
acrylic on paper mounted on canvas
22 1/2 x 15 1/4 inches
JBARp 73
4.
Lady with the Pill Box Hat, 2011
acrylic on paper mounted on canvas
27 x 21 inches
JBARp 72
5.
The Garden and the Sea, 2010
acrylic on paper mounted on canvas
22 3/4 x 21 inches
JBARp 70
6.
St. Catharine in the Desert, 2010
acrylic, gold leaf on paper mounted on canvas
11 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches
JBARp 67
7.
Jacob's Ladder, 2010
acrylic, gold leaf on paper mounted on canvas
15 1/4 x 26 1/2 inches
JBARp 68
8.
The Temptation of St Anthony, 2010
acrylic, gold leaf on paper mounted on canvas
11 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches
JBARp 66
