The Pump House Center for the Arts presents the oil painting series “Sacred Stories” by J. Barry Motes. Motes is a Professor of Art and Head of the Art Department at Jefferson Community & Technical College in Louisville, Kentucky. He received his BA and MA degrees in art from Morehead State University and an MFA in painting/drawing from the University of Tennessee.
Motes has held 34 one or two-person shows and participated in more than 130 group and juried exhibitions regionally and nationally. He has received 25 grants & awards including Best of Show at the Bluegrass Biennial and a Visual Artist Fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council.
Motes current painting series, “Sacred Stories”, explores spiritual themes and their relationship to the physical world. He uses traditional painting techniques to create persuasive images with symbolic meaning and psychological resonance. They are re-interpretations of Bible stories and parables that use allegorical figures in surreal, contemporary settings.
Barry’s parents, John & LaVersa Motes are long-time residents of Chillicothe and his siblings still live in the surrounding area. Barry had a 2 person show at the Pump House approximately 22 years ago.