Visual Art

Holy Mackerel

family members create jaw-dropping mixture for gallery

Trevor Kupfer |

 
Artwork by Ivy Klingbeil

Though this gallery exhibition includes works from three members of the same Medford-based family, I can safely say that it is the most crazily eclectic and awesomely odd art show in recent memory. The pieces by Sandra (mother to the other artists) are an interesting and not-at-all cliché mixture of religious iconography, bright colors, and random elements like de stijl boxes, stars, and foliage framing the figures, strangely recalling the portrait works of Frida Kahlo. Elder sister Ivy has incredible digital collages that start with ancient figures (like her mother’s), but adds textures to make them gritty and damaged, with a layer of the modern or urban to top it off. Ivy likewise has portrait works that take Andy Warhol’s pop art icons from the silver screen and takes them further into “the now” than a mere multi-colored screenprint. Younger sis Emma uses surreal figures in surreal lands obviously inspired by dreams, with vivid characters in the foreground and ominous blurred backgrounds that include the occasional tree, home, or Qbert boxes floating in the distance. She describes her work as representing “strange places in time, in childhood, where you know you’ve seen a monster behind the shower curtain, or your pet cat talked for a split second.” You can bet that I’ll be there, front and center, to experience this unique blend of artistry.

    Holy Mackerel: The Artwork of Ivy, Emma, and Sandra Klingbeil • Jan. 7 through Feb. 19, with a reception on Jan. 14 at 6pm • FREE • 832-ARTS • www.eauclairearts.com