Many grow up learning it’s impolite to talk about politics and religion, but Cornell Watson, a Durham based photographer, has brought the conversation front and center in his new exhibition “God’s Country” at Carrboro’s Peel Gallery.
Walt Whitman’s famous line, "Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)," perfectly fits what Watson’s artwork documents of contemporary America almost two hundred years later. The line between church and state has never been pulled taut, and the increasingly central political and religious tensions reflect the two’s growing entanglement, but then again - have they ever been truly separate?
This September exhibition distills cultural and political clashes within intimate moments of the everyday. Whether in a crowded rally or a bedroom, Cornell’s lens finds humor in coincidence, holds empathy for its subjects, and exposes the devolved Americana around us - a visual melting pot of iconography and capitalism.
"God's Country" is a photographic exploration of the intersection of patriotism and religion in America and how these forces are lived, politicized, commodified, weaponized, and contradicted in America.
- Statement from Cornell Watson
Cornell Watson is known for his captivating documentations of life in action and reaction. He frequently contributes photography to national publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Bloomberg. He has also photographed national ad campaigns for companies such as T-Mobile, MeUndies, Bombas, and Adidas. His photography centers Black stories and has been featured in museums such as The Mint Museum, Nasher Museum of Art, and the National Civil Rights Museum.
Please join us Friday, September 12th from 6-9 pm for the opening reception of this exhibition! The event will be held as a part of Chapel Hill/Carrboro’s 2nd Friday Artwalk and include an evening of art, music, and refreshments.
We will also be hosting a Closing Reception with an Artist Q&A on Sunday, October 5th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.
Photograph: Cornell Watson