Celebrating "Olympia": A Tribute to Katherine Dunn at Carnival Fabulon
This month, I’m thrilled to share that my painting "Olympia" has garnered some exciting attention at the Carnival Fabulon exhibit at Brassworks Gallery, a show inspired by Katherine Dunn's haunting and beloved novel, Geek Love. As someone deeply inspired by literature, it was an honor to contribute to this exhibit alongside so many talented artists from around the globe.
Geek Love is no ordinary tale—it's a bizarre yet compelling story about the Binewski family, where the patriarch, Aloysius, poisons his wife during pregnancy to create uniquely deformed children to star in their traveling freak show. It's a story filled with shock, heartache, and twisted family values, and it’s no wonder that it has inspired artists for decades.
For my piece, "Olympia," I was particularly drawn to Oly, the albino, hunchback narrator of the story who works as a carnival barker while wearing a tutu. The image of Oly, shouting through a bullhorn to attract crowds while clad in a ballerina's tutu, struck me as a poignant metaphor for the roles we play in society, and how they often conflict with our true selves. I sought to capture that tension and complexity in my oil pastel painting, layering it with collage elements to reflect Oly's multifaceted nature.
One of the highlights of the evening was Katherine Dunn's son, Dr. Eli Dapolonia, who arrived at the opening with an open mind, eager to see how the artists interpreted his mother's work. He shared some wonderful insights, including how his mother would have loved the emotion and intensity of many of the pieces on display, particularly the sculpture of Olympia, which he said would have made her chuckle. Hearing that from someone so close to Dunn was incredibly meaningful.
I am beyond grateful to be part of this exhibit and to have my work, "Olympia," stand among such powerful pieces. Thank you to everyone who came out to the opening and those who supported my work along the way.
If you’re in Portland, I highly recommend checking out the exhibit at Brassworks Gallery. It’s a must-see for any fan of Geek Love or anyone who appreciates art that challenges the norm and delves into the deeper, sometimes darker, sides of life.
