“Please Stand By,” features the computer-generated work created by artist-journalist Tim Higgins, through Aug. 13, Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, Bethlehem.

Printed on paper or mounted on glass, the pieces are digitally-composed of hundreds of collaged images and elements depicting themes from comics, pulp fiction, television, film and everyday life.

“About 2010 I started working digitally,” says Higgins. “All of these works have been done in the past year or two.” The one exception is “The Blue Light,” a large oil on canvas painted in 1984.

“I’m progressing. I think I’m getting better, but I’ll let the public decide whether I am or not,” says Higgins.

With “Intervention” (2024; composite digital print on paper, artist’s proof, 12 in. x 16 in.), Higgins seeks to provides the viewer with visual elements that appear to tell a story.

“Everything here is really meant to entertain,” says Higgins. “I’m trying to get people to pay attention by looking into the work.”

The landscape background appearing on a television screen is a detail from “Madonna of the Meadow” by Giovanni Bellini. Dominating the foreground is a vintage science-fiction spaceship beaming up an open book while a hovering angel in a gas mask appears from an oval porthole.

“Everything these days are kind of UFO-oriented,” says Higgins. “I incorporate that as the new mythology in work.”

“In the presbyterate, it’s called ‘digital collage’ but you will see on the labels they’re called ‘composite digital works.’” says Higgins. “I like ‘composite’ better because people have a tendency to think of ‘collage’ as cut paper and you see the seams.”

The artist points out that he blends everything together. Except for pieces intentionally divided into multiple parts, “there are no seams,” he says.

While most works seem to tell a story presented in a comic-book style, others are more nuanced. These are composed of multiple translucent overlapping layers, heavily blended together.

With “Look Required” (2024; composite digital print on paper, artist’s proof, 16 in. x 12 in.), “It’s meant to be something that you have to put your nose to,” says Higgins as he explains that the viewer is drawn in to spend more time studying the work more closely.

Higgins has had a career in journalism as an editor and arts reporter in the Lehigh Valley. The Salisbury High School graduate is a multi-disciplinary artist. He has worked in graphics, painting and short films. Higgins studied art at Kutztown University, Northampton Community College, and with James Carroll at the New Arts Program.

The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission sponsored the Rotunda Exhibition.

“Please Stand By,” through Aug. 13, Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem. Gallery hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday, Closed weekends, holidays. Information: https://bfac-lv.org/

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com