“The Afterlife” is the latest exhibition at the 800 Lincoln Road space of ArtCenter South Florida. The artists, Alex Heria, Byron Byrd, and Franklin Sinanan, have been residents studio artists there. This so-called “cultural mash-up” takes us on a trip that may be a bit strained even for a place with as much cultural diversity as south Florida.
The exhibition explores the concept o the afterlife, a core concept in most religions, but does using religious symbols in sometimes lighthearted, or on the other hand, raw and direct ways translate to that core? It would seem the stated core concept would have been better served with a solo exhibition of the featured artists because the concept seemed forced, not found directly within the work shown. Each of the artists are capable of mounting a solo exhibition in the 800 Lincoln Road space. Sometimes, group shows are an uneasy fit.
How important is it to see new work by the featured artists? For those outside the region seeing the currently displayed work may be new, but for the local visitors the work might take us to other exhibitions where these works, or others so similar as to not seem new, that we are desirous of the new more than we realize.
Exhibition on view through August 5, 2012.
Art Center South Florida
Richard Shack Gallery
800 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139