Allison Janae Hamilton, Brecencia and Pheasant II, 2015. Courtesy of the artist and Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York and Aspen. © Allison Janae Hamilton.
Photography, Sculpture, and Video Explore Interconnected Spiritual Practices
(Winston-Salem, NC) – For the first time as affiliated institutions, the North Carolina Museum of Art (in Raleigh) and SECCA (North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem) present a shared exhibition between both spaces, bringing awareness of global artists to audiences across our state. Examining place and theology from North Carolina to eastern Texas, From Alpha to Creation: Religion in the Deep South incorporates photography, video, and sculpture to survey various iconography and rituals throughout our landscape.
The exhibition will be on view February 15 through May 26 in SECCA’s Potter Gallery, and February 17 through August 18 in NCMA’s East Building Photography Galleries. Admission is free and open to the public. An opening reception will be held at SECCA on Thursday, February 15 from 6–8pm.
Ralph Burns, Tent Revival #1, Naples, NC, 1992, 1992. © Ralph Burns
From Alpha to Creation distinguishes itself from antiquated or heavily stereotyped studies of Southern culture that often disregard our complexities. It instead focuses on the spiritual innovations that allow many of us to maintain a dedicated relationship with our religious heritages, from Abrahamic denominations to composite belief systems like Hoodoo. For many artists throughout the exhibition—who originated or worked extensively in the region—the South represents a unique context for religious expression reflected by our racial, political, and economic structures.
The exhibition leads with documentary photography that grounds its analysis of Southern culture with actual people and circumstances throughout the region. Landscape photography illustrates the physical prominence of iconography and messaging embedded in the environment. Meanwhile, portraiture demonstrates the social effect of adornment throughout different faiths, with examples of people using dress to signify their devotion or hierarchy. The exhibition’s video and sculpture complete the survey of spiritual practices by interpreting the extensive rituals and traditions that span as far back as precontact Indigenous societies.
Burk Uzzle, Camy Truck with Jesus, 2009. Courtesy of North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh. Purchased with funds from the William R. Roberson Jr. and Frances M. Roberson Endowed Fund for North Carolina Art. © Burk Uzzle
In Raleigh, the exhibition will fill the two B-Level Photography Galleries with imagery centered around ritual and landscape from artists like Alec Soth, Allison Janae Hamilton, and Ralph Burns. This selection also includes works from the museum’s collection, with appearances by noted photographers Eudora Welty, Deborah Luster, and Margaret Sartor. At the center of the gallery, artist Charles Edward Williams presents his deeply personal film, The Call.
In Winston-Salem, visitors will experience a multimedia display of photography, video, and sculpture that covers similar concepts but delves deeper into the interconnectivity of spiritual beliefs across time. This display includes works from artists like Jamal Cyrus, Brandon Thibodeaux, Bill Aron, and Earlie Hudnall, Jr. It also features new works by artists Keni Anwar, Ralph Burns, and Luzene Hill.
Jamal Cyrus, Sstrum, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Inman Gallery. Photography by Allyson Huntsman.
The full list of exhibiting artists includes Alec Soth, Allison Janae Hamilton, Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, Baseera Khan, Bill Aron, Brandon Thibodeaux, Burk Uzzle, Charles Edward Williams, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Deborah Luster, Earlie Hudnall Jr., Eudora Welty, Heather Baebii Lee, Jamal Cyrus, Keni Anwar, Linda Foard Roberts, Logan Lynette Burroughs, Luzene Hill, Margaret Sartor, Ralph Burns, and Titus Brooks Heagins.
From Alpha to Creation: Religion in the Deep South is organized by Maya Brooks, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, with support from Georgia Phillips, Curatorial Intern. This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.
Learn more about the exhibition, upcoming programs, and visitor information at SECCA.org and NCArtMuseum.org.
Deborah Luster, Tee Mamou, 1998. © Deborah Luster. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
ABOUT SECCA
The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (SECCA), an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Art and division of the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources since 2007, offers a front row seat to the art of our time through exhibitions, experiences, and education programs with a focus on regional working artists. Founded in 1956 and located on the scenic James G. Hanes estate in Winston-Salem, SECCA offers unique large-scale indoor and outdoor settings for exploring the intersections of contemporary art and culture.
SECCA is located at 750 Marguerite Drive in Winston-Salem. Recent exhibiting artists include Neka King, William Downs, Raj Bunnag, Lakea Shepard, Beverly McIver, Will Wilson, Kara Walker, Lonnie Holley, Elizabeth Alexander, Esteban Cabeza de Baca, Freeman Vines, Jillian Mayer, and Antoine Williams. Learn more at SECCA.org.
ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.