Hail Mary

A new exhibition by painter Bruce Herman, “Miriam – Virgin Mother,” explores the subject of the Virgin Mary, a figure of some controversy in the history of the Christian church. The exhibit opens with a reception Thursday, Jan. 15, 4-6 p.m. in Reynolds Gallery and includes a lecture by the artist at 5:30 p.m.

Herman, who holds the Lothlórien Distinguished Chair in the Fine Arts at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., looks at the traditions of Mary through the lens of contemporary art. His work often depicts detailed figures that merge into abstract, textural backgrounds and includes triptychs over eight feet tall and 13 feet wide. He builds and scrapes away layers of gold leaf and oil paint creating images that span the gap between new and ancient art-making practices.

Herman’s work can be seen in collections around the world, including the Armand Hammer Grunewald Collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Vatican Museum of Modern Religious Art in Rome.

Highlights of the exhibition include two large triptychs depicting scenes in the life of Mary. After leaving Westmont, one of these will be permanently installed at the Monastery of San Paolo in Orvieto, Italy.

Reynolds Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For directions to campus, visit the college’s Web site at www.westmont.edu. For more information, contact (805) 565-7140 or nprice@westmont.edu.