MEAGAN CLEMENTS | staff writer

"Ressurrection Series II" showing in the main Duke art gallery asks viewers to slow down and consider the human presence through color and texture.

Organic earth-tone color pallets and unique textures filled the Duke Art Gallery on Sept. 18 as Father Bill Moore displayed works from his “Resurrection Series II.”

“I think it’s really amazing to close your eyes and touch the artwork because you see it on a totally different level. [We are] creatures that are both physical and spiritual and his artwork really captures that,” junior English major Whitney Smales said.

As a non-representational abstract artist, Father Moore incorporates elements of collage into his paintings to create interesting textural effects, working on stretched canvas with acrylic media.

In the intimate art gallery, Father Moore spoke about the creation of his artwork and graciously took time to answer questions from the great trunout of approximately 30 viewers. Humble and personable, Moore had several students and parents approach him throughout the night to compliment him on his works and offer their accolades.

“I liked the relics that he chose to redeem. Every time I walked to a new painting, I looked for the found objects,” senior art major Jenna Helfer said.

Father Moore was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1975. He was assigned by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, his religious order, to work full time on ministry of the arts in 1998.

“It’s always in the editing and final editing that the work comes to life for me,” Father Moore said. “My work is very much like members of a family. It’s been an ongoing phenomenon that pieces seem to fit well together.”

According to his ‘Artist Statement’, “Resurrection Series II” began as a personal meditation on raw matter, desert landscapes and how they are impacted by the human presence.

“[The paintings] are ominous to me, but also a little transcendent and the texture reads like skin,” art alumnus Daniel Miller said.

Father Moore considers black to be the color of life, and feels that no material is ever wasted. “Once you get rid of it, you find it,” Father Moore said.

In addition, Father Moore, who expresses his Christian faith and displays spirituality in his artwork, says that his work is about hope.

“I really enjoyed the grittiness of his work; his work reminds me of the big city. There is this fun ‘give and take’ of the dirt that moves through life,” sophomore art major Jeremiah Catling said.

Due to Moore’s firm, aesthetic principal to never begin with an idea, he lets each piece ‘speak for itself.’ He takes that of no value and turns it into value.

“I like how when you stand two inches away from the paintings, they’re really fun to look at because of the amazing textures,” senior cinema broadcast arts major Ty Frey said. “But from the other side of the room they look completely different.”

Father Moore examines the craftsmanship of other artwork, asking himself if the artist knows what s/he is doing and loves the material that s/he is working with; he is turned off by people who don’t respect what they’re doing.

“It seemed like in a lot of pieces, he had a door representing a choice or decision in life. It seems like we don’t know what the future holds or what’s out there, but if you don’t move on, then you’re just sitting in a state of solitude,” sophomore marketing major Andrew Price said.

You don’t have to be an art history major or renowned artist to appreciate the beauty of Father Moore’s poetic works. Like a prayer, the artwork comes straight from the heart and is a sincere, honest representation of his love for nature and passion for glorifying God.

“I love so much of the art of the past and cannot help but see the gifts of other artists,” Father Moore said. “Making art is an act of faith and the very nature of art is about yielding what’s outside of yourself.”