October 22, 2015

Special exhibit planned for Oct. 30 at museum

CARBONDALE, Ill. – There’s all manner of odd, unusual and plain old weird art in the University Museum archives at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

A selection of the bizarre and strange is on exhibit in the museum’s Hall of Weirdness one day only – Oct. 30, 4-8 p.m. Visitors can help keep the atmosphere mysterious by appearing as a favorite artist. Or a favorite work of art. Or, at least wear a mask! 

Here’s some of what will haunt the Hall of Weirdness:

• Gertrude Abercrombie, “Indecision,” 1948. A Chicago artist and a surrealist, Gertrude Abercrombie painted many works of lonely landscapes bathed in moonlight with a single figure, a woman in a flowing gown, strongly suggesting a witch or the supernatural.

• Frederick J. Brown, “CC Rider,” 1985. This SIU alumnus is a nationally prominent artist – and an example of one of his huge clown paintings is fun – or terrifying for sufferers of coulrophobia (fear of clowns).

• Francesco Goya, from the series “Las Chinchillas,” c. 1799. Fans of dark and mysterious art know the name Goya. “Las Chinchillas” depicts human follies, ignorance and corruption – more in a scary than a pleasing light.

• Gregory Pelizzari, “Manifestation of a Young Ghost by Count Volnikoff,” 1973. This one directly addresses the supernatural world.

• Thomas Seward, “Winter Evening at Devil’s Kitchen,” 1969. This work will make you want to stay indoors at night.

Other works in the exhibit include an anonymous wooden sculpture of David with the head of Goliath, some historical tools of dubious intent, and items from the science collection. 

Admission to the museum and this exhibit is free but a $10 donation per group would be a nice treat.