Monsters & Masks at GCCA Catskill Gallery
Monsters & Masks: Personal Demons/Private Monsters
Solo Show: ‘Old Devil’ – Konnik Memorial Exhibit
The Greene County Council on the Arts, Catskill Gallery is excited to present two exhibits crowning the Halloween season: Monsters & Masks, a group show in the 1st floor gallery exploring the symbolic, psychological, narrative, humorous and poetic possibilities of the theme, and Old Devil, a memorial solo exhibit of works by Konnik (1974-2011) illustrating Heaven and Hell in the 2nd floor gallery. Join the artists for an opening reception on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The GCCA Catskill Gallery is located at 398 Main Street, Catskill NY. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both exhibits are on view through Nov. 19.
Monsters & Masks includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, assemblage, and wearable masks by 13 artists approaching the theme from all angles. Brandi Merolla’s Scenes from the Attic are staged photographs using found objects in funny theatrical tableaux. Carol Swierzowski’s wall hung reliefs incorporate egg carton faces staring out from the monster universe.
Dara Trahan’s digi-paintings reference highly costumed, melodramatic scenes from musicals, classical operas and movies. Julie Chase’s embellished found photographic portraits wear elaborate embroidered masks. Richard Talcott’s ghost painting is a cloudlike apparition on found wood with blood red claws. Wendy Drolma’s leather masks are hand stitched sculptures inviting the wearer to become mythic beings, beasts and Jungian incarnations. Yolanda Davis’s felt fetish sculptures feel both cuddly and voodoo-like.
Wendy Drolma, Green Man, leather, velvet, rhinestones
The gritty surfaces of Paul Fero’s paintings reveal a tabletop still life of human skulls, a fearful woman’s eyes darting outside the frame, a green faced boy/monster. Arm-of-the-Sea Theater Directors, Marlena Marallo and Patrick Wadden share their larger than life puppet figures from their 2006 production, To Defy the Beast. Other exhibitors’ works include Karl Volk’s Native American inspired bird painting and Jennifer Archer’s leafy masks suggesting a costume of autumn camouflage.
Old Devil remembers Hudson Valley artist Konnik, originally born in Brooklyn, NY. Konnik moved to Palenville at the age of 12 and graduated from Catskill High School. His powerful graphic style combines classical figurative and pop design elements steeped in religious symbolism, evidence of his strict Catholic upbringing. Konnik’s work is represented on-line at www.olddevil.com with examples of his black and white drawings and prints depicting the sacred and profane using a mixture of ink and blood. His pieces evoke the Bible’s first testament vengeful God alongside the second testament’s saints, prophets and innocents.
When asked about the ritual of using his own blood as a medium, he stated that “each piece is a literal piece of me.”
“Despite his dark work and appearance he was a supporter of cancer research and the humane treatment of animals,” Konnik’s widow, Star relates. “He often donated pieces for charity auctions,” with the Greene County Council on the Arts as one of the lucky recipients of his generosity for its annual Arts Ball auction.
Konnik, Monk, 8×10” ink and sauce on Masonite
Konnik participated in a number of group shows at the GCCA, appearing at opening receptions, dressed in a casual black ensemble, a quiet and mysterious presence. He died on March 24, 2011 at the age of 36 from complications with congenital heart disease. Celebrating his work and legacy, this memorial exhibit in the upstairs gallery is the artist’s third solo exhibition.
