Ankeny Art Center presents: Robert Kennon – Monumental Mysteries and Momentum – The Nature of Resiliency

Ankeny Art Center presents: Robert Kennon – Monumental Mysteries and Momentum – The Nature of Resiliency. This art exhibition will run from June 9 to July 26, 2022 with an opening reception on Thursday, June 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Robert Kennon: My new exhibit titled “Monumental Mysteries” explores the prehistoric monoliths (single upright stones), megaliths (multiple stones), memoirs (squared top stones), dolmens (capstone tombs) and henges (circular enclosures) taken from sketches made on location during numerous trips to England. The prints represent the various stone monument shapes (i.e. Stonehenge and Avebury) constructed by prehistoric Neolithic people. I am attracted to these forms and the mysterious purposes they serve as objects in the landscape. They could have represented celestial observatories, calendars for the seasons, spiritual complexes for religious ritual or grave markers. The stones, as physical objects show the passage of time through erosion, sediment flow and melting of glacial layers of the earth. The show consists of monotypes, relief woodcuts and intaglio prints. The monotype prints utilize metallic colors to reference the brilliant tones of minerals found in the earth. The woodcuts are made by carving two separate birch plywood blocks. The first contains the background color landscape and the second, the black foreground form. My intaglio prints are also produced by combining two separate images. The first plate made of zinc is etched with line and aquatint work and is printed in color. The second, a copper plate is engraved and printed in black over the first color print; this second plate contains the key image. The reason for using these layered techniques is to contrast the heaviness and solidity of the monumental stone structures of the top layer with the transparent atmosphere and ephemeral nature of the bottom layer. The finished images reflect the passage of time and create a transcendent feeling found in the spiritual nature of these mysterious structures.   Robert Kennon was born in St. Louis, MO. Bob is currently, Associate Professor of Art at Carl Sandburg College, Carthage, IL.

Momentum Art Program’s mission is to create a supportive community for artists who identify as having a disability. We are furthering this mission with our Momentum program and our Momentum Studio within Mainframe Studios. CSA believes in the transformative power of art. Art is a tool that can build confidence, inspire hope, and develop resilience. Often individuals with disabilities see art as inaccessible to them due to a lack of money for art supplies, knowledge or confidence, or the lack of a safe space to create. Momentum provides free art opportunities to underserved populations that include an annual juried art competition and exhibition as well as art workshops offered throughout the year.