Tales of end time told artistically at Johnson Center

The “Faith, Magic, Love and Death” exhibition at the Johnson Center for the Arts in Troy is a cautionary tale of the end times.

The exhibition is, at first, “shocking” but oh so, interesting, said Kristi Drinkwater, who was speaking from an artist’s point of view.

“At first glance, I was shocked,” Drinkwater said. “Good art is sometimes shocking and the ‘Faith, Magic, Love and Death,’ exhibit is good art. Very good art.”

The exhibition features six nationally acclaimed artists and all of the artwork was created based on the “end time” theme.

The idea behind this traveling exhibit is that all the pieces represent the approaching end of the world, said Morgan Drinkard, Johnson Center director.

“Imagine a world full of weirdness,” she said. “Imagine a world where people believed the end time was approaching and a world fill with political corruption and dissension, economic inequity and environmental decay. Imagine a world with fervent adherence to traditions, mythologies, and polarizing religious beliefs. A world of greed, power and fundamentalist certitude.”

And, there’s the other side of the exhibition – what the saints will deliver and offer at the end of times.

“It’s a powerful exhibition,” Drinkard said.

“Intriguing,” said Drinkwater. “I loved the pieces. They are interactive. Although there are ‘Do not touch’ signs all around, you are drawn to the texture and want to touch. The detail is incredible and that makes all of the artwork so interesting.”

Drinkwater singled out the pottery of Marko Fields as amazingly detailed.

Drinkwater compared his work to that of internationally acclaimed artist, Nall, a Troy native.

“You look at Nall’s artwork and you want to go back and look again and again because you probably missed something,” she said.

“It’s the same with Marko Fields … of all these artists. And there are subliminal, tongue-in-cheek messages in these pieces. It is a fascinating exhibit.”

The “Faith, Magic, Love & Death” exhibition will run through Sept. 6 and will close that afternoon with a reception from 4 until 6 p.m. The public is invited.

Artist Marko Fields will be a guest of honor.

The Johnson Center for the Arts is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.