Michael Weinstein

Hans Ballard steals this show of six gifted Chicago straight photographers with his large-format color images of religion hitting the gritty urban streets. Although Ballard's banner shot depicts a painstakingly drawn picture of the Madonna staring down benignly from a wall in Florence, Italy on a trash-strewn alley, Chicagoans will be drawn to his garishly illuminated take on the notorious Fullerton Avenue Madonna, an illegible stain to all unbelieving eyes that cohabits with random graffiti and is framed by a shrine replete with Catholic iconography. We are left to decide whether a message on the viaduct's wall-- "Francisco Soliz I Love U"--that floats above what might be the Virgin's head trumps her spiritual aura. Ballard's image makes it clear that, for him, secular Eros has swamped sacred Agape.

Chicago Photographers Showcase Europe shows at Lux Gallery 3036 North Lincoln, (773)857-6141, through May 26.

(2005-05-10)

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