Salvation Mini Mart

An irreverent remix of Judeo-Christian iconography and product design, Peter Adamyan’s forthcoming solo show, “Salvation Mini Mart,” will transform Loakal Gallery & Boutique into a veritable supply store of sacrilegious paraphernalia where nothing is holy. Adamyan presents a new series of oil paintings along with an elaborate, site-specific installation that critiques the relationship between religion and consumerism.

Adamyan is a self-proclaimed cynic who uses his deft realist painting skills to engineer familiar pop cultural and religious imagery into a twisted narrative filled with dark humor. Interested in the ways religion has been used over the course of history as an imperialistic force, Adamyan examines the ways powerful minorities continue to use the religious beliefs of the masses to further their private agendas — In the case of today’s society, says Adamyan, the agenda of capitalism.

“The trouble I see with religion, even moderate religions, is that these unproven beliefs in the supernatural world give safe haven to extremists as well as more lines in which we divide our human species into ‘us’ and ‘them.’ This has lead to war in the past and into present day. This is ultimately where ‘Salvation Mini Mart’ ends up, in an exploration of Holy War and the conflict between science and religion,” said Adamyan of the concepts in his recent work.

Adamyan’s new body of work for “Salvation Mini Mart” is a provocative look at the ways power and propaganda function in contemporary society. Please join us for the opening reception at Loakal Gallery & Boutique on November 1, 6-10 pm. The artist will be in attendance.