Sept. 18, 2014
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University is exhibiting work by J. Barry Motes, professor of art and art department head at Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville, until Oct. 3 in the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery at 205 University Drive, Campbellsville.
There will be a closing reception from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 in the gallery. He will be giving a talk at 1 p.m. Oct. 2, also in the gallery. Everyone is invited to both events that are free and open to the public.
Hours for the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery include: Mondays - 9 a.m.-11 a.m.; noon-2 p.m. and 3 p.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays - 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and noon-1 p.m.; Wednesdays - 10 a.m.-11 a.m.; noon-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; Thursdays - 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; noon-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-3 p.m.; and Fridays - 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and noon-1 p.m.
Davie Reneau, associate professor of art, said the exhibit consists of “surrealistic, fabulous paintings of the parables.” She said Motes is a Christian artist, “and his work is amazing!”
“My work is an expression of my Christian faith and explores spiritual themes and their relationship to the physical world,” Motes said. “In these paintings, I have reinterpreted Bible stories and parables by using allegorical figures in surreal, contemporary settings.
“My style is influenced by Magritte, Tooker and ‘Magic Realism' of the mid-20th century, and I use traditional painting techniques in the endeavor to create persuasive images with symbolic meaning and psychological resonance.”
Motes has a master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.; a master of arts degree in studio art, and a bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, from Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky.
He has 34 solo/duo and group exhibits including shows at Tim Faulkner Gallery, Swanson Contemporary and Zephryn Gallery, all in Louisville, Ky.; and Jasper Arts Center in Jasper, Ind.
He has exhibited in over 125 juried and group exhibits including the Valdosta National '13 at Valdosta State University in Georgia; JUSTart At Wheaton College's Hansen Gallery in Wheaton, Ill.; The Texas National at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas; ARTstravaganza at Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tenn., and others.
Motes has received 25 grants and awards including the Schrodt Award for Excellence in Realism from Water Tower Regional in Louisvile, Ky., BELL grant with International Scholars Program in Oxford, England; Al Smith Visual Artists Fellowship with the Kentucky Arts Council and Best in Show from Bluegrass Biennial at Morehead State University, Ky.
Motes is a three-time awardee from the Kentucky Arts Council and also received the Individual Artist Development Grant.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.