| “Of Mind, Body & Soul” presents works that address the theme of questioning and exploring the self, bringing together a diverse cross-section of the current Brooklyn arts scene. Each artist was selected for their singular approach to the title subject. Carolina Duque, Katya Grokhovsky, J.F. Lynch, Ellie Murphy, Caitlin Peluffo, Katarina Riesing, and Ryan Turley uniquely explore deep and critical relationships with themselves. |  |
“Turley does not seem convinced that the world is getting better for these teens and young adults, at least not fast enough”Ryan Turley, It gets better?, 2012. Image courtesy of the artist.Wrestling with the Self; Of Mind, Body, and Soul at Fowler Arts Collective
“Of Mind, Body & Soul” presents works that address the theme of questioning and exploring the self, bringing together a diverse cross-section of the current Brooklyn arts scene. Each artist was selected for their singular approach to the title subject. Carolina Duque, Katya Grokhovsky, J.F. Lynch, Ellie Murphy, Caitlin Peluffo, Katarina Riesing, and Ryan Turley uniquely explore deep and critical relationships with themselves. These works, many of which were created specifically for this exhibition, allow for an insight into each artist’s psyche, but they also pose broader questions of an individual’s internal relationship with the self.
Ryan Turley’s art work stems in part from having been immersed in the world of academia for the past six years through his undergraduate and graduate studies. It also stems from the heavy themes addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and the sexualization of youth that he explores in that work; issues that remain taboo to discuss and yet are ironically not taboo to utilize in marketing. “Though seemingly different, both youth and academic environments are connected in the fact that both provide some means of protection for an incubation or gestation period that is often halted, damaged, or in some cases destroyed when the reality of the world hits it.”
His work entitled It gets better? is derived from, and is perhaps a direct critique of, a program produced by the Trevor Project by the same name; the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. The concern with their, “It Gets Better” program is that the outreach seems to ignore the disparate lives of celebrities and “regular” teens from around the world. It is not relatable and despite its underlying message of positivity, Turley does not seem convinced that the world is getting better for these teens and young adults, at least not fast enough. With suicide rates increasing enormously amongst a community labeled “at-risk youth” Turley hopes to take on the responsibility of making personal and direct connections that will have a positive effect on those involved and bring his own work to a new level by creating a more interconnected process and more meaningful dialog.
Caitlin Peluffo presents three different video pieces; Rip Slap Slap, Sabrina, and It’s Not Unusual. Each video work wrestles with representations of the artist’s self and expectations both from herself and others which she measures herself up against. Her most recent video piece, It’s Not Unusual is one in which the viewer sees Peluffo at her most vulnerable. She stands in front of the camera and sings the lyrics to the Tom Jones classic. As time passes, the video is launched into a downward spiral of self deprecation until Peluffo crumbles emotionally. This piece, unlike the other two, deals with the formalities involved in creating a performance for the camera, and presents the artist in a weaker light, stripping her of her physical strength and dominance.
Please join us for the opening reception “Of Mind, Body & Soul” on Friday, Feb. 10th from 7-10 pm. RSVP on Facebook. From 7:30-9:30pm during the opening reception, there will be a performance by Katya Grokhovsky. The exhibition will be on view from February 10th to 26th, 2012. During the exhibition, Fowler will have open gallery hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm. During other times, the exhibition can be viewed by appointment.
