EDWARD AND NANCY KIENHOLZ (1927-1994 and B. 1943)

Ed and Nancy Reddin Kienholz began making their wagon tongue sculpture series 76 J.C.s Led the Big Charade in 1992, starting in Houston and then travelling to Mexico in search of religious images to fit the artworks. Constructed from a variety of media, including doll parts and found picture frames, each ‘J.C.’ is unique in its elements and religious imagery. Like the best of Kienholz's work, the J.C. series reflects the social and religious issues of the 20th century. Ed Kienholz was raised by religiously fundamental mother, and he identified himself as an atheist, often commenting through his artwork on the political and commercial nature of religion in America. The entire series, 76 J.C.s Led the Big Charade, was exhibited at L.A. Louver Gallery in October, 1994, shortly after the passing Ed Kienholz, and it serves as a keen remark on the contemporary idea of a personal god.