The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Visual Arts Gallery will host “The Shrine of the Most Glorious Future,” the newest endeavor by UAB Adjunct Instructor of Art John Lytle Wilson, M.F.A.
Wilson’s “shrine” installation and accompanying large-scale acrylic paintings depict the colorful monkeys, robots, unicorns and various other animals for which he has become known, while simultaneously blurring the boundaries between art object and religious iconography. “The Shrine of The Most Glorious Future” exhibition will run from June 7 through July 5, 2013.
A small congregation of Wilson’s monkey and robot “followers” will demonstrate their rituals at the show’s opening reception, to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 7, at the gallery, 900 13th St. South. Those attending will be invited to participate. Admission to the gallery is always free. New summer hours for the gallery are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. New Saturday hours are 12-4 p.m. The gallery is closed on Monday, Sunday and holidays. Call 205-934-0815 for information.
After growing up in Rock Hill, S.C., Wilson honed his techniques at Birmingham-Southern College and Florida State University. He has a national exhibition record and has been featured in many publications, including New American Paintings in 2009. In 2012, he was named one of Oxford American magazine’s “100 Under 100: The New Superstars of Southern Art.”