Salt Lake City, UT December 4, 2012 The BYU Museum of Art presents, We Could Be Heroes: The Mythology of Monsters and Heroes in Contemporary Art. Opening reception Friday December 7, 2012, 7:00 p.m. The exhibition curated by the MOA's contemporary curator Jeff Lambson, delves into our fascination with super heroes and monsters in contemporary pop culture; We Could Be Heroes examines the relationship between today's super heroes and the ancient quests of mythological and religious heroes against villainous monsters. An overabundance of super hero movies has been produced around the world of late, from Hollywood to Chinese cinema to Bollywood. Through contemporary artworks, the exhibition will explore the complexity of the myth of the hero, the hero's relationship to the monster, how that monster was created, and why, for many, comic-book mythologies are becoming the new morality of the 21st century. The exhibition runs through April 6, 2013.

Artists include pop art superstars Takashi Murakami and Andy Warhol, Takeshi Murata, Adi Nes, Paul Pfeiffer, Cameron Gainer, Cory Arcangel, Paper Rad, Tristin Lowe, Robert Longo, Roe Ethridge and other national and Utah-based artists. 

Among the work of Bell's on display at the MOA includes a large-scale painting that serves as homage to music icon Bob Dylan. Set against the backdrop of a depiction of an American flag with Bell's signature geometric lines and shapes that create tense, pulsing movement of repetitive, iconic images of Dylan through the decades. "From persona to persona, decade after decade, Bob Dylan has embodied both sides of the coin hero and monster. Voice of a generation, traitor, folk hero, Judas, the greatest songwriter in music history to he can't even sing. From counter culture icon to being awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom. His ongoing legacy has generated as much discourse as anyone in the history of pop culture. Some artists work speaks for itself, Dylan's work speaks for generations." excerpt from John Bell's artist statement.

"Bell's painting of Bob (Dylan) explores the nuances of the hero's in pop culture and who we define a hero and who we define a monster and how they are defined by the perception of the viewer and reveal themselves in mass media and popular culture." says Jeff Lambson Contemporary Curator BYU MOA.

About John Bell

John Bell is a nationally emerging artist who describes his work as postmodern mash up. He combines abstract expressionism, geometric abstraction, pop art and other movements in contemporary art. Bell is a multi-disciplinary artist incorporating printmaking, photography, sculpture, text, installation and performance art. His work depicts wide ranging themes from social to political, popular culture, media and the public domain to comment on -- and understand the complexities of contemporary American culture. Artist website, >>>artistjohnbell.com

About BYU Museum of Art

One of the largest and best-attended art museums in the Mountain West, the BYU Museum of Art offers a dynamic exhibition schedule that includes displays of its permanent collection, world-class traveling shows and thought-provoking exhibitions organized by museum curators. One of the museum's most important roles is its contribution to the academic mission of Brigham Young University. From the research and study of the artworks in the permanent collection, to the teaching and learning that occurs in classrooms and galleries, the museum plays an important role in the academic pursuits of many students at BYU. At the same time, the museum connects to broad community audiences through its exhibitions and educational programming. >>>Visit BYU MOA 

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