Terry Rowlett at Ciné

Terry Rowlett’s latest vivid portrayals of Renaissance and Baroque settings surrounding a contemporary image, are on view at Ciné from now until October 19. The exhibition, Moments and Times, is a "a historical look at the human occupation of the planet as seen in the paintings of Terry Rowlett, a late era artist (circa 21st century)," according to the Ciné Web site.

Terry Rowlett is a native of rural Arkansas, who was stationed as a patrol guard in West Germany and came to Athens after edifying trips to Europe and a religiously inspired expedition to Israel. He a cool world view equipped with remnants of bygone religious convictions and pessimistic outlooks on a sinful modern world. His earlier paintings depict “Christian characters inserted into decidedly American landscapes littered with the detritus of modern existence," says local arts writer Melissa Link on the artist's web site. His more recent paintings, however, have changed in theme but not in style. They are now infused with “a newfound joie de [vivre] which the artist has renounced his guilty past and celebrates life for all its song, dance, and debauchery. Such images still borrow upon the familiar themes and compositions of the Old Masters, but the paintings now serve as allegories of playful reality rather than sermons on God’s word.The work offers the artist’s ultimate statement on the true teachings of love and understanding that exist in the Christianity which he once embraced and the heartbreak that has ensued as the violence, hypocrisy, and heresy of American imperialism prevail to open up countless oozing wounds around the world.”

For an interview with Terry Rowlett about one of his pieces that ended up on local musician Elf Power's album cover, click here

Here is a glimpse at the Rowlett exhibition at Ciné on Flickr