Sacred & Profane: A Contemporary Reimagining of Religious Iconography

A Dialogue Between Heaven and Earth

Halcyon Gallery's audacious new exhibition, "Sacred & Profane," boldly reimagines religious iconography for the 21st century. Located at 148 New Bond Street, this dynamic showcase features renowned artists like Andy Warhol, David LaChapelle, and Robert Montgomery alongside emerging talents such as Graceland London and Dominic Harris. The exhibition sparks a fascinating conversation between the sacred and the secular, exploring how ancient symbols and religious themes resonate with contemporary issues.

Modern Madonnas and Digital Drones: Reinterpreting the Divine

Mitch Griffiths' dramatic oil painting, Shrine (2022), forms the exhibition's centerpiece. A modern Madonna, crowned with a drone, symbolizes the pervasive impact of unmanned warfare in our digital age. Drawing inspiration from Caravaggio's Baroque style, Griffiths confronts pressing concerns like social media's pitfalls, environmental anxieties, and the pervasiveness of consumerism through a powerful religious lens.

Pop Art, Photography, and the Haunting Presence of Mortality

The lower gallery presents a compelling juxtaposition of iconic works. David LaChapelle's surreal photographs exploring celebrity and mortality are displayed alongside his haunting portrait of Andy Warhol, taken in 1986. Warhol's own silkscreen skulls further amplify the theme of mortality. These pieces intertwine with Graceland London's work, which bridges Pop Art's legacy with Christian iconography, creating a compelling dialogue between the sacred and the profane.

From Banknotes to Altars: Exploring Politics, Poetry, and the Spirit

Santiago Montoya's vibrant murals, crafted from banknotes from around the globe, inject a political dimension into the exhibition. His art speaks to complex issues of national identity, power, and global politics. Meanwhile, Robert Montgomery's conceptual sculptures, inspired by church altarpieces, blend sacred forms with poignant poetic verse, offering a spiritual renewal through contemporary language.

Digital Resurrection and Kaleidoscopic Visions: Old Masters Meet New Media

Pedro Paricio breathes new life into the works of "Old Masters," infusing classical motifs with his vibrant, kaleidoscopic style. His dynamic canvases offer a fresh perspective on traditional religious themes in the context of modern artistic innovation. Returning to Halcyon, digital artist Dominic Harris employs immersive interactive environments to engage directly with art history, offering a contemporary lens on timeless themes of birth, life, and death.

Reflecting on the Now Through the Lens of the Past

Kate Brown, creative director at Halcyon, emphasizes the exhibition's significance: "At Halcyon, we represent artists whose work interacts with art history in incredibly nuanced and powerful ways, both in homage to the past and as a way to highlight what is distinctive about the contemporary period. In directly addressing our time, their work is incredibly poignant for a modern audience.”

An Unmissable Journey

“Sacred & Profane,” which debuted on February 27th at Halcyon Gallery, promises an unmissable exploration of how contemporary artists continue to push the boundaries of religious art, making it profoundly relevant to today’s world. For more information, visit www.halcyongallery.com.