ELLEN CHARAPKO GALLERY
Contact: Mary Ellen Charapko
2374 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, USA
PressOn@bellsouth.net   954.547.9014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Artist’s Challenge: Has Man Erred in 'Religionizing' God?

Wilton Manors (Ft. Lauderdale), FL, January 10, 2011____________ Ellen Charapko Gallery will present Biblical Proportions, a Solo Exhibition of the current works of Byron Keith Byrd. The gallery will host a reception on Friday, March 18, 2011, 7 – 10 pm. The artist will be present. The exhibition will run through April 9th.

“Unfortunately, the mere questioning of one’s hierarchical religious system may be considered disrespectful to the textbook-style religionist. If one believes in a true Creator of the universe, is it wrong for that individual to question that Being and the religious systems man has created in response? Byron Keith Byrd does not think it impious and his new series, Biblical Proportions, will hopefully compel those who view this work to think on a new level confronting their own spiritual efficacy – the very reason why I believe this exhibit is important.” Mary Ellen Charapko, Director of the Ellen Charapko Gallery.

Byron Keith Byrd is challenging religion…not God. Specifically, his works question the innumerable, man-made religious systems that have developed around Christianity. But the overriding tenet is a questioning of all religions, and the fact that it is not blasphemous to do so. The artist’s works make it clear that the Creator has been misrepresented over the centuries by man across the globe, highlighted by the confusion, separation, hatred, murder and wars instituted in the Creator’s name.

Byron Keith Byrd challenges the religiosity that stems from Christianity through his new series, Biblical Proportions. Religious Trap is a 103-inch tall, seemingly plain cross, from a distance. But upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the cross is constructed of wooden mousetraps, 312 to be exact. Byrd forces the issue and attempts to clarify the truly spiritual from the dreadfulness of religion. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this artistic, double entendre makes its point very obvious.

On a lighter note, the whimsical, mixed media, Bible Belt, is comprised of a leather belt embossed with tiny Bibles and praying hands. It is mounted on solid, raw wood, accented with gold-leaf, and features 15 of the states that comprise the Bible Belt.

The recent BP catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico shook the planet with worry for months. Byrd’s art does not shy away from the ecological fears it caused. People around the globe mentioned the eeriness of its similarity to blood, and some pointed out the prophecy in Revelation. Byrd combines the redness of the oil slick with a scripture and the BP logo in a mixed media on paper, entitled, Revelation 8:8 “…and the third part of the sea became blood.”

Byron Keith Byrd is a former resident of New York and currently lives and works in Las Vegas. His work has been displayed in various galleries in the country and is included in many public and private collections. This is the second solo exhibition for this artist at the Ellen Charapko Gallery.

More information about this exhibition is available online at www.EllenCharapkoGallery.com

Evening hours are Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment. The gallery is located at 2374 Wilton Drive, in the Wilton Manors Art & Entertainment District. For more information, call 954.547.9014 or email: info@ellencharapkogallery.com.