Category Archives: 2004 Circus of the Soul

Circus of the Soul

Revisiting Circus of the Soul in 2013

This was one of the largest exhibits I’ve had and it is a theme I continue to explore. It was originally exhibited in Medford, Oregon at the Rogue Gallery and Art Center and has since been shown in a church and a gallery in Portland and elsewhere.

The large gallery in Medford was a wonderful venue; with outer gallery walls and inner panels I was able to display the work as a “3 Ring Circus” of sorts, with the outer walls holding the cosmology/theology pieces, and used the inner clusters of three circular panel configurations to present the earthly forms and figures.

Ten years later I still resonate with the importance of this theme, and continue to offer classes on the Art of the Circus. This powerful metaphor has been explored and exploited by many artists and is also at the core of much carnal entertainment we see today, as well as pageantry and sacred rituals of religion. As Above, So Below, we strive to rise to our highest potentials and continue to be tempted by the gravity of our human condition.

Soon I will present a contiguous body of work called “Eve’s Bad Rap.” In this “better story” I look at the damage done by the myth of Eden and look at new parables, better outcomes and more positive portrayals of women and their huge contribution to society, beauty, industry: a happiness and prosperity that would be impossible without them.