John Shorb
A Cosmic Womb
January 22nd – March 12th
Tops Gallery, 400 South Front street, Memphis, TN 38103 Open by appointment And most Saturday's from 12-4pm. Call, email or check Instagram
Tops at Madison Avenue Park, 151 Madison Avenue. Memphis, TN 30103 On view 24 hours a day
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.
John Shorb (b. 1978) is an artist living and working in Brooklyn. Shorb has had solo shows at the University of Mississippi Museum, Northeastern University, and Long Island University as well as group shows at Santa Clara University and Wright State University. He has completed residencies at Hambidge Center, Penland, and Blue Mountain Center. He is also currently the Executive Director of Dieu Donné in Brooklyn. He studied film and literature at Carleton College and then received a masters in divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
