Artist

Ralph Burns (Primary)

Title

Tent Revival #1

Date

1992 (printed 2018)

Century

20th century

Medium & Support

Fiber-base silver gelatin print on paper

Edition

2/10

Dimensions

sheet: 16 x 19 3/4 in. , image: 12 3/8 x 18 1/4 in.

Style

Documentary Photography

Object Type

Photographs

Credit Line

Gift of the Artist

Accession Number

2018.11.01

Copyright

In Copyright
© Ralph Burns

Burns is fascinated with the culture of American revivalism, both secular (everything Elvis) and religious, though the two intersect as Burns demonstrates in photograph after photograph. Tent Revival #1 shows a young boy looking heavenward, as if anticipating the message—“PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD.”—painted on the side of a bus or rail car. A figure seems to rise from the boy’s head, and he appears to meld with the wrathful biblical vision that captures his attention and, possibly, spirit.

Exhibition Title: Asheville Art Museum: An Introduction to the Collection
Label Date: 2021
Type: Catalogue Entry
Written by: J. W. Bonner

• religious camps
• religious concepts
• religious events