JIMMIE CROWN, "THE THREE SYNOPTIC GOSPEL WRITERS: MATTHEW, MARK AND LUKE", before 1984

welded Metals, 4' x 5' approx. Located: Inside East Main Congregational United Church of Christ, East Main & South Whitesboro Streets, Galesburg (Hours are posted by the side door or call for an appointment to view the Church interior.)

Other work: "Virgin Mary," Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Galesburg; "The Rood Screen;" Grace Episcopal Church, Galesburg.

Jimmie Crown was a most influential local artist and teacher. He was a very prolific artist whose metal sculptures and bas reliefs are displayed in churches, schools, and hospitals throughout Knox County and the United States. East Main Congregational United Church of Christ, Galesburg, has the largest collection of his public work on display. The collection shows his experimental and varied sculptural techniques.

"The Three Synoptic Gospel Writers" is one of seven works displayed in the church. It hangs on the West (left) side of the sanctuary high above a door. Drawing with linear metal rods, Jimmie Crown merges three figures into one abstract, unified form. The sculpture has a free cubist approach to showing many elements at once. Full of Christian symbolism, yet highly stylized, the stars, circles are both religious iconography and geometric shapes. They create a free-flowing visual rhythm that moves around the piece. The sculpture suggests a joyful message for the writers of the Old Testament. It is modern art in a traditional church sanctuary.