The Art of Andrew “Zig” Leipzig

The art of Andrew “Zig” Leipzig and The Congregational Church of Patchogue may seem to be strange bedfellows.

Placed around an expansive two-story meeting room were images of a crucified Jesus on high voltage electrical wires, the biblical “Doubting Thomas” reaching for the volume button while Jesus was televised and an angel-winged television set “ascending” into heaven.

There was a Madonna clutching a boom box and aliens invading a historic seaport and lasering a cow from above. Robots, an x-rayed rubber duck and nuclear explosions were combined liberally with classic paintings from art history.

The artwork was unveiled last Saturday in the exhibition, Spacial Relativity: The Art of Zig. The show features over 40 works of digital art and sculpture made by Zig of Sayville.

While checking out the art, don’t forget to take in the stained glass windows, the hand-carved railings and architecture that helped land the church on the National Register of Historic Buildings, said Rev. Dwight Wolter, who arranged the exhibit.

“How do you mount a work of art inside artwork?” he queried. “Any church is a product of art. There’s music, stained glass, wood carving. Art always surrounds us.”

Rev. Wolter connected with Zig’s art when it was part of last year’s group exhibition on Creation Myths & Stories held at the church. Rev. Wolter sees something spiritual in Zig’s work and a search for something that goes perfectly with church.

Zig uses his digital art to bridge gaps. He combines famous painting compositions with icons from modern light to contrast high art with contemporary culture. His compositions clash spirituality with commercialism. Peace against violence. Historical battle scenes include futuristic technology to conjure conflicts within recent memory.

Spacial Relativity: The Art of Zig will remain on view through March 26 at The Congregational Church of Patchogue, 95 East Main Street, Patchogue. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and by appointment by calling Rev. Wolter at 631-475-1235. Artwork and information on Zig can be found at www.planetzig.com.

pat rogers

Pat Rogers is a freelance writer specializing in arts and culture on Long Island. When not going to art openings or interviewing actors or musicians, she’s looking for the next interesting story.