The Pope and the Art of Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell

Flavia Colgan
Updated

I have written about mixed-media artist Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell recently and am doing so again as he is consistently ahead of his time. As a pioneer in the world of art, Corbell is constantly attacking issues that are both personal and political no matter how big or small.

I recently acquired a piece by Corbell on loan titled "The Pope" which shows Pope John Paul II donning a huge stem-cell halo. As we are aware, the Vatican has just contributed $3 million to fund a research initiative working to find a new way to develop multi-purpose stems cells -- without using embryonic cells. We are seeing a progressive and compassionate Church that is also ahead of their time. We see a Church not only embracing technology and discovery, but advancing it. Together, art and religion are pushing the political and societal envelope.

Corbell's "The Pope" is mixed-media and incorporatesLos Angeles Timesnewspaper statements by the Church and their stance throughout the years on stem-cell research. Regardless of political position, Corbell has continued to open the dialogue between our inner-most thoughts and our outer-most visceral experiences. My attraction to his work is in the ambitions it tends to ignite within my own heart, not to mention my living room. Corbell's work inspires people to voice their feelings, standpoints and opinions. Isn't this what art should do?

Art should instigate and act as a catalyst for meaningful discussion. Corbell's subtle, yet dramatic art provokes without being vulgar. When surrounded by his work I feel that art is alive, and I feel like my life becomes art.

You can see more about Corbell's art at www.jeremycorbell.com

Upcoming creations from the accidental artist include:

- The launch of the ICON tee-shirt brand at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, June 2010
- A collaboration with the World Fashion Awards in support of humanitarian aid.
- The ICON tour, where the 350 piece exhibition will be traveling the globe. It premiered at my home and it was quite an honor.
- A feature length documentary on Corbell and his creative process by Manuel Reta.