MEMPHIS, TN.- Easter Island idols, African ceremonial masks, voodoo dolls, and references to Lisa Marie Presley come together in an exhibition of contemporary work by at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Urban Primitive Works by Christopher Wollard and Steven Troy Williams is part of the museum's ongoing series, Brooks Introduces, a program designed to showcase the work of young artists who are either currently in art school or recently graduated.

Both recent graduates of the University of Memphis BFA program, Christopher Wollard and Steven Troy Williams evoke ancient iconography through their contemporary works. Wollard's sculptures incorporate images of Easter Island idols and African ceremonial masks. His primitive subject matter is given a modern, industrial feel through his use of welded and hand-forged steel. A native of New Orleans, Steven Troy Williams explores the voodoo doll fetish through his series of oil paintings, which reference such figures as Lisa Marie Presley and voodoo priestess Marie Laveau.

Assistant Curator of Education Tomi Durgin says of the show, "The work in this exhibition utilizes archaic ritual and spiritual imagery to confront current societal issues, and will appeal to both lovers of contemporary and ancient art alike."

Brooks Introduces: Urban Primitive Works by Christopher Wollard and Steven Troy Williams will be on view from October 28 through January 21, 2007. The exhibition is funded through a generous grant form the Greater Memphis Arts Council.