Artist: John Shorb
Exhibition title: A Cosmic Womb
Venue: Tops Gallery, Memphis, US
Date: January 22 – March 5, 2022
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and Tops Gallery
In his second show at Tops, John Shorb continues his visual investigation of discarded texts, this time focusing on fragmentary ancient texts soaked in cryptic spiritual meaning. Shorb re-presents phrases and words, such as Child of Silent Silence or The Four Clouds, in handmade paper works comprised of vibrant pigmented linen and cotton pulp. These signs point to a place of impossibility: what does it mean to hear a song of Eve? to know children of the power? to return to a cosmic womb? Shorb seeks religion without religion, with the works proclaiming desires just beyond belief.
