That Old Time Religion

by Jennifer LaCasse

48"x96" • Acrylic and vellum on canvas $$800

That Old Time Religion is a triptych comprised of visual references to traditional symbolism in addition to more ambiguous, personal imagery. The central figure, which is larger than the two flanking figures, holds her arms apart in a pose very much like Christ on the cross. On the left there is a winged, haloed figure in contemporary clothes, arms crossed and head bowed in the pose of the archangel Gabriel in scenes of the Annunciation. On the right there is a character that comes not from Renaissance paintings but from my own memories: the angry, abusive preacher pounding the pulpit and pointing his hand in judgment. I have placed these characters in hazy, dream-like landscape filled with swathes of color, dripping paint, cornstalks and river reeds. The plant life in this painting is meant to represent nature as a benevolent spiritual force, a stark contrast to the menacing specter of religious oppression.