Dixon Museum: Power & Piety & Edward Giobbi

POWER & PIETY: SPANISH COLONIAL ART This exhibits runs through September 24. These liturgical objects are from a private collection and organized by the now defunct Museum of Biblical Art in NYNY (an arm of the Bible Society of America). Items include paintings, church furniture, statues and communion ware. Many of the pieces were from Venezuala and Cuba. Of interest is one sculpture made on the west coast of South America from ivory imported from the Philippines during colonial times. The exhibit is well displayed, varied and with detailed provenance. EDWARD GIOBBI: AN ARTIST COMES TO MEMPHIS This exhibit also runs through September 24. Edward Giobbi was born in Connecticut and married Memphian Ellie Turner. Ellie’s brother, Norfleet Turner was a close personal friend of the Hugo Dixons and served on the original board of the museum. Painting style is somewhere between impressionism and modern art. Subjects include the Maji, as well as his wife and friends. Of interest is a photo of the artist painting one of his subjects that is on display. His style is an unusual but recognizable fusion of forms.