Johann Wessels: Immaculate Deception

×

Expand

Johann Wessels, "Immaculate Deception," 2018

mixed media

Art has served religion for centuries. Throughout the history of art, it has also functioned as propaganda for ideology and consumerism. In Immaculate Deception, Penticton-based artist Johann Wessels explores how art can trick both the eye and the mind to seduce and persuade its viewers. In this new series of works, paint and substrate form the foundation of these fabricated artifacts and relics, subverting traditional Western art symbols and language to highlight the culturally determined value and status embedded within art objects. Each piece has been meticulously crafted as a bespoke object for the discerning believer. In these adapted clichés, Wessels presents contradictions and thrilling old tricks.

Born in South Africa, Wessels attended the University of the Freestate and graduated with a BA in Fine Art with majors in Printmaking, Drawing, and History of Art. Wessels taught printmaking and history of art at university and worked in the film and television business as an artist for many years. He now focuses his attention on fine art.