Cultural Icons

April 2007 marks the first exhibit of this new body of work at the Soren Christensen Gallery in New Orleans. In the show you will see Corvettes and Harleys, Ferraris and custom choppers - certainly icons of our time. But look more closely for Bonnie Parker, the American Flag, the winning LSU Tigers and a famous artist or two.

Artist Statement:

The word "icon" is derived from the Greek "eikon" meaning image. The term "cultural icon" is defined in modern popular culture as a person or thing widely acknowledged as having a "depth of significance" or "star quality."

As such, cultural icon images can function as symbols depicting the underlying ideas and values of a society. These symbols represent our dreams and passions and ultimately influence personal choices throughout our everyday lives.

Historically, Early Christian artists painted the first icons. These small paintings were utilized by the Church to illustrate religious concepts and inspire faith.

Icons of today serve the same function but the areas of influence have expanded beyond religion. Icons are now used by a multitude of social forces - entertainment, business, politics and sports.

This body of work represents the cultural icon as a major motivating force in society. Included are iconic figures from the worlds of art, automobiles and motorcycles. The American flag, a famous outlaw figure and a football team are also included. These paintings focus on our culture's desire for personal satisfaction, freedom, individuality, power and success.

» Read the full artist statement

"Signs of the Times"
By D. Eric Bookhardt, Gambit Weekly, April 22, 2007

"Lory Lockwood is a painter gifted with a chromium touch, an ability to make the arcane art of oil paint on canvas resemble the glossiest product photography imaginable. Her paintings of the sleekest of sports cars and vintage Detroit behemoths restored to more than mint condition represent a multifaceted approach that cuts across the cultural spectrum."

"...She just waves that chromium wand and distills all that she surveys into the glossiest depictions of exotically machined metal imaginable."

"...what's beyond dispute is Lockwood's ability to recreate in oils that reflective chrome sizzle --Êthe mystique of elaborately machined metal, the aura of speed and the visceral excitement it conveys."

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"Dream Machines"
By Patricia Gannon, The Times, Lafayette, LA May 2005

"She's grown used to gallery goers approaching her husband as the artist behind the oil-painted canvasses of sensuous pipes, chrome and car hoods, motorcycles, mannequins and Ferrari steering wheels. Her collections of smaller work celebrate silvery hubcaps and hood ornaments, gas caps and sporty gearshifts and the occasional ignition with keys or rearview mirror, all unified by Lockwood's luxurious use of color and languid reflections."

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