Galleries and Exhibits - Christian Body: Paintings by Mark Edwin Carlson
July 16–September 12, 2004
Opening reception: Friday, July 16, 5 - 7 p.m.
The Gage Family Art Gallery
Exhibit Notes
Oil painter Mark Edwin Carlson faces himself on all levels through his figurative self-portraits at the Lutheran-affiliated Augsburg College, following a decade-long chapter of sexual assault recovery. It is out of self-love, not self-pity that he embarked on this challenging series, “Christian Body,” working to overcome fears of sexuality and its spiritual implications.
Carlson was plagued by this experience at 13, convinced for several years that he could have done something to stop it even though his perpetrator was three times his age. A Lutheran himself, Carlson’s guilt and shame multiplied until depression set in his junior year of high school. “At the time, I felt it was a black mark on my spiritual record that somehow would never be erased,” he said.
The paintings offer a new perspective figuratively—and figuratively again—by rejecting the self-portraiture convention of using mirrors. Every piece is oriented from the artist’s head, shifting the viewer’s paradigm from observer to subject, and subsequently encouraging the viewer to attempt empathy, in this instance and throughout all of life.
In this first collection of an ongoing series, the artist stresses “My developing body, as a whole, served as a constant reminder of that terrible experience and how I was a participant. I began to loathe my body and was ashamed and afraid of my sexuality. This series is my last leg of healing both mentally and spiritually.” Carlson said his recovery has been unquestionably God-driven, but he understands that some Christians will be challenged. Carlson considers himself a social and spiritual artist-activist; he also designed the theme art for the Lutherans Concerned North America 30th Anniversary Conference, commencing at Augsburg one week after the exhibition opens.
To view the works and find out the conclusion to the artist’s story, please visit the Gage Family Art Gallery, located on the second floor of the Lindell Library on the Augsburg College campus. Gallery hours are Monday—Friday, 10-4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. The Gallery will be closed August 14-22 and September 4-6. Admission is free. An opening reception will be held Friday, July 16 from 5-7 p.m
