Sunday, November 19, 2000
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Sunday, November 19, 2000 |
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Art with a message Youth's works on display in area church
By PAT NEWMAN Some artists draw their inspiration from nature; others are influenced by their personal environment. Fayette daughter Kristi Kent, 22, a Georgia State University senior, uses the Bible as a reference point for her art. Currently, Kent has two wall hangings displayed in the sanctuary of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Riverdale. "Kristi has a real gift," said the Rev. David Hansen, pastor of Holy Cross. "Her work is kind of unique and special." He added that Kent's work not only added to the beauty of the building, but also prompted thoughtful conversations among church members. One of Kent's most intense works adorns the side wall of the small sanctuary. It is an acrylic on water color paper depicting the stations of the cross and Christ's crucifixion, showing only hands and limbs. "I chose the hands and arms because they are more powerful than the entire body," she explained. The overlapping of hands and arms is a beautiful abstract representation of Christ's final journey. Kent calls her work "art with a Christian theme." Her expressionist approach blends strong color and bold themes from the Bible such as the Israelites' journey out of Egypt, and an illustration of the words of Christ, "I am the tree and you are the branches..." with a tree in varying stages of growth and decay. Kent has accumulated a large body of work, with one particular series focusing on light. One picture in the series depicts Paul on the road to Damascus and his conversion in a brilliant fusion of color. "There will eventually be 11 in the series. Right now there are nine," Kent noted, unrolling one of her large canvases. She hopes to finish off the series with a work portraying Pentecost and the tongues of fire. She definitely likes to "work big," in part because "I have a message for everyone to see," Kent said. Her interest in art has been a constant for as long as she can remember. Kent's talent was nurtured during high school by Fayette County High School art teacher Melanie Mickleboro. "Kristi was a wonderful student... she always achieved beyond what you asked her to do," Mickleboro recalled. As an advanced placement art student, she chose contemporary artist Chuck Close for her study," Mickleboro noted. Kent, whose maiden name was Jones, was graduated in 1996 from FCHS. Her parents, Bill and Vicky Jones, live in Fayetteville, while Kent and her husband of one-and-a-half years, George, live in Hampton. Kent is in the process of putting together drawings for her senior show at Georgia State University on Sunday, Dec. 17. Upon graduation next month, Kent would like to take on some commission work, prior to graduate school. In addition to having her work at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kent has also displayed pieces at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville.
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