KAREN CHAPPELOW
530 West 25th Street, New York, NY
A few kilometers off the coast of Perth, in a quaint house circled by acres of lush forest, lies the world of Karen Chappelow. Wildly eclectic, the British artist makes expressionist paintings, sculptures, and pottery that exalt the female form and offer a daring commentary on the role of women in contemporary society. Chappelow’s oeuvre draws heavily from history, anthropology, mythology, and pop culture in a way that overthrows the original gender dynamics and hands the reins of control back to women. She does so unapologetically, true to her punk roots, adding a twist of sassy humor to the mix. As such, in “Shoulda Put a Ring on It” Medusa takes revenge on Poseidon, spearing his head with his own trident; Leda mercilessly chokes her attacker–Zeus who turned into a swan to seduce the princess–in “Ledas #metoo Moment”; while Medea takes it all out on Jason in “Jason Had the Golden Fleece All Along.”
Chappelow’s figures are sensual, much like Modigliani’s, but they are also vulnerable and wear their scars proudly on their elongated distorted bodies. Much like her subjects, Chappelow has had to earn her place in the world. Now she lives with her family, surrounded by her artwork, her garden peppered with odd-looking stone sculptures. Locals may think she is strange, cooking up potions or scaring little kids away in that castle of hers, but she likes it that way.
KAREN CHAPPELOW ON
I am an observer of people, cultures, and behaviors. I am intrigued by how different they all are. I enjoy long conversations and discussions on psychology, anthropology, and science with a few glasses of wine or champagne thrown in. What we hold dear, our moral code, things we allow to control us, things we will not is what I am drawn to. How are we all so different and what makes us tick? These are questions that humans have asked for centuries.
I like it when I get a physical reaction from people when they view my art. The whimsical, fun, and sometimes political nature of life is evident in my work. By expressing the fierceness of a female, the ridiculous in a scenario, the message turns into humour to soften the blow, breaking down barriers to acceptance. The expressionist nature of my work tries to blur the edges of reality and hopefully spurs conversation and makes people smile, wonder, and think. For
530 West 25th Street, New York, NY 212-226-4151 Fax: 212-966-4380
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