Meditations on the Apocalyptic

Patrick Merrill is a remarkable artist whose work transcends the time within which he lives. Although he has used the centuries old technique of woodblock printing to create this series of huge images describing his vision of the apocalypse, these images are shockingly contemporary, warning us of the dangers of greed, capitalism and addiction.

Many of the earlier works in this exhibit investigate humanity's inhumanity to itself, from subjugating imperialism to the Oedipal inheritance of "power" - the psychological foundation of hierarchical domination as Merrill sees it. His current investigation is a reevaluation of themes from The Book of Revelation as first presented in the Medieval and early Renaissance periods.

Such impressive and monumental prints are the equal to Durer's giant 16th century "Triumphal Arch" for Maximilian I. Perhaps Merrill's extraordinary achievement can be measured by the fact that he has produced these works alone in his studio without the benefit of funding from an emperor.

Admission is free. Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. The Kwan Fong Gallery, located in Soiland Humanities Center, is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Image: "Whore of Babylon," Woodcut by Patrick Merrill