Concrete Convictions

The favorite icons of the South are clearly represented in our small-town concrete yard art centers.

Elvis, John Wayne, gnomes, angels, lawn jockeys, Georgia bulldogs, and the most popular of all are the religious icons.

Somehow seeing a statue of Jesus praying on a busy highway under a billboard next to a garishly painted red and black bulldog is a bit disconcerting.

I’m also struck by the monuments we erect to honor a person or event and then often, the statue is placed in an environment that is incongruous to the intended message.

Or maybe the sites surrounding the monument changed so that the commemorative statue looks out of place and a bit lost.

I do not want to seem like I am demeaning these statues, it’s just that I find religious and honorary icons in unexpected places visually interesting and culturally revealing.

ABOUT DIANE KIRKLAND

In her role as the senior photographer with Georgia Department of Economic Development for twenty five years, Diane Kirkland gained valuable experience in handling photography for advertising campaigns, publications and websites. She is skilled in relating to the travel industry as well as the manufacturing and industrial sector to create unique images that will make your advertising distinctive.Her work has appeared in national and international publications, including the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, Southern Living, and the Times of London.

For more info about the Artist and her work click here