That Queer Fish: Solo at Parsonage Gallery

Saturday, July 29, 2023 - Monday, September 18, 2023

In the face of drastic climate change, including rising and warming oceans, That Queer Fish imagines a not-so-distant future in which land creatures undergo transformative adaptations in order to thrive underwater. Rooted in queer ecological theory, this body of work invites viewers to explore a world where hybridization becomes a radical act of survival, blurring the boundaries between species and challenging normative notions of identity and habitat.

Through meticulously crafted sculptures and evocative paintings, this exhibition aims to ignite our collective imagination and prompt critical reflections on the intricate relationship between nature, queerness, and adaptation. The sculptures—adorned with beads, spikes, and chains—serve as tangible metaphors for the interconnectedness of life forms and the textural diversity found in the natural world.

The paintings in this exhibition transport viewers into the depths of an otherworldly oceanic realm. A deep blue hue permeates the canvases, echoing the vast expanse of the sea. Within this ethereal backdrop, glowing elements emerge, referencing the mesmerizing bioluminescence of deep sea creatures. This radiance serves as a reminder of the beauty and adaptability inherent in nature, as well as the resilience of queer communities navigating complex social and environmental landscapes.

That Queer Fish invites us to reimagine our relationship with the environment and the diverse beings that inhabit it. By fusing ecological theories with queer perspectives, this exhibition proposes an alternative narrative that celebrates adaptation and the glorious queerness of the natural world.

 

Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.