Robert Kennon

Born: St. Louis, MO., October 5, 1965. I am currently working on a new series of engraved and etching prints titled "Monumental Mysteries."

My compositions are influenced by religious sources in 18th and 19th century Romantic art and theory. Inspired by Immanuel Kant's essay, The Critique of Theological and Aesthetic Judgement (1787), I have assimilated into my artwork a non-pantheistic interpretation of the sublime in which the mind contains the abstract representation and divine inspiration of God.
The "sublime," is the name given to what is absolutely great, as in religion, through a manifestation of an all-powerful being or deity. The representation of God into a concrete form is the most challenging response, which I can formulate. By interpreting the deity as a form of power, wisdom, justice or truth, I am led toward psychological and spiritual enlightenment. Therefore, I have chosen to represent God and other religious icons in abstract form through the attributes of infinity, vastness and astonishment.
The main reason for creating my own interpretation of the Bible is that I believe contemporary society has abandoned religious art. Thus, I wish to evoke a radically different symbolic languag...

Robert Kennon was born in St. Louis, MO. He is currently Associate Professor of Art & Design at Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO. Bob received his B.F.A. in printmaking from Webster University, St. Louis, MO., M.A. & M.F.A. degrees in printmaking and M.A. degree in art history from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Robert Kennon has shown his artwork in over 150 solo, group and juried exhibitions including, Spiritual Visions, Solo Exhibition, Webster University Regents College, London, England., The Print Council of London Annual Group Exhibition, Schenectady Art Gallery, Schenectady, NY., Society of American Graphic Artists 68th National Membership Exhibition, Stephen Gang Gallery, New York, NY., 20th National Print Club of Albany Members Exhibition, Schenectady Museum, Schenectady, NY., Artists of the Graphic Arts Council of New York, Krasdale Gallery, White Plains, NY., Tradition and Transition in the 90s: California Printmakers Exhibition, SOMAR Gallery, San Francisco, CA., Remembrance: Los Angeles Printmakers Society Exhibition, Mira Costa College, Oceanside, CA,