Weekendavisen – The Hvasley church 2019

Owen Gent’s Weekendavisen – The Hvasley church is an illustration, likely created with digital tools, with its strong shapes and textured surfaces. I’m thinking about what it must have been like for Gent to create this image. There's an implied narrative, a feeling of quiet drama. The silhouette of the church against this fiery orange glow, it's like a beacon. But what's it a beacon *of*? It's interesting how the reflection in the water mimics the light in the sky, as though the earth is mirroring the heavens or vice versa. I imagine Gent playing with the contrast between light and dark to create a mood that feels both inviting and slightly ominous. It has a folk art quality to it, like a story being told in simple, powerful shapes. It reminds me of Rockwell Kent, or maybe even some of the early 20th-century printmakers. The work feels very contemporary but it is rooted in history. Ultimately, this piece speaks to the enduring power of visual storytelling, and how artists continue to borrow from and build upon one another's visions.