Sanctuary for the Deacon's Sons, Renée Stout

Artwork Overview

Renée Stout, Sanctuary for the Deacon's Sons
Renée Stout, Sanctuary for the Deacon's Sons
Renée Stout
Sanctuary for the Deacon's Sons
2000
Renée Stout, artist
born 1958
Sanctuary for the Deacon's Sons, 2000
Where object was made: United States
Material/technique: mixed media; paint; glass bottles; wood; inkjet print
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 69.2 x 57.8 x 13.7 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 27 1/4 x 22 3/4 x 5 3/8 in
Credit line: Museum purchase: Peter T. Bohan Art Acquisition Fund
Accession number: 2001.0063
Not on display
Add to portfolio

If you wish to reproduce this image, please submit an image request

Images

Label texts

Archive Label 2003: According to the artist, Sanctuary for the Deacon’s Sons addresses the “hypocrisy and dysfunction that alcoholism can cause.” The photograph in the center of the piece represents a Deacon who drinks, as suggested by the repetition of whisky bottles on the shelf below. In one bottle, Stout encloses a picture of three boys. Their trapped situation implies that they are exposed to their father’s problems. The wood construction is reminiscent of a church or religious altar, suggesting a place where the boys go to find sanctuary. This work addresses issues of social justice and moral critique. Through her art, Stout aims to alleviate the strains of human relationships and to reduce the distance between individuals and spiritual forces.

Resources

Audio

Audio Tour – Ear for Art
Audio Tour – Ear for Art
Why are there empty liquor bottles in this artwork? This artwork is titled Sanctuary for the Deacon’s Sons. According to the artist, Renee Stout, it addresses the “hypocrisy and dysfunction that alcoholism can cause.” The photograph in the center of the piece represents a Deacon who drinks, as suggested by the repetition of whisky bottles on the shelf below. In one bottle, Stout encloses a picture of three boys. Their trapped situation implies that they are exposed to their father’s problems. The wood construction is reminiscent of a church or religious altar, suggesting a place where the boys go to find sanctuary. This work addresses issues of social justice and moral critique. Through her art, Stout aims to alleviate the strains of human relationships and to reduce the distance between individuals and spiritual forces.
Audio Tour – Bulldog Podcast
Audio Tour – Bulldog Podcast
Audio Tour - Stop Look Listen
Audio Tour - Stop Look Listen