Artist's cathedral exhibition shows the importance of social work

"Social Works"

When: Through Nov. 20 during regular office hours

Where: Trinity Cathedral, 801 W. State St., Trenton

Admission: Free, (609) 392-3805

In a dizzying display of artwork, Trenton native Lou Storey uses shapes, symbols and words to get his message across: Social work works.

Now a signature artist at the Noyes Museum in Oceanville, Storey was once a student at Mercer County Community College, where he studied with Mel Leipzig. He recently entered the field of social work and is associated with CPC Behavioral Health in Aberdeen.

Twenty-four of his paintings that he refers to as "loose narratives" are on display in Trinity Cathedral's Synod Hall. When you visit the show, be prepared for bright colors, swirling symbols, words, chaos -- and order.

The creations hang on the wall in frames, but, even though they comprise painted elements, they are more than paintings. On their surfaces are hand-sculpted, cast shapes and piped embossed lines embedded in thickly applied acrylic pigments. And words. Words that are sometimes painted in as part of the design and words that are built onto the surface of the work, spelled out with plastic letters that Storey casts. And each framed creation has a thought-provoking message.

This is a show that can be enjoyed on two levels. Storey's obvious design ability is consistent throughout. If you can blank out the words as you view the pieces, you will see his knowledge of how colors play against each other and blend to interact. You will see how he is able to infuse his paintings with energy and still keep balance in the piece. Viewed purely on this level, you will come away feeling you have seen an exciting and satisfying exhibition.

However, if you choose to let the words add their element to the design, you will reach a far deeper understanding of what Lou Storey is saying as his brush creates swirls, lightning, and sunbursts; as he embeds letters, numbers and shapes.

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