Kelly O’Connor’s "Plunge Pools" dives into the leisurely world of the rich and fabulous. In her series of pool works, the artist mostly appropriates the effortlessly chic works of 20th century lifestyle photographer Slim Aarons.
Known for his postwar photographs of the elite class at rest, from American socialites to European aristocrats, Aarons simply declared he photographs attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places. O’Connor, on the other hand, takes a different stance, emphasizing how these images "often focuses on the whitewashed elite living their best lives.
The artist often thinks about what was actually happening behind the scenes in stories such as Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. Much like Aarons’ documentation, everyone looks fabulous, but in actuality it was a pretty terrible time for women, and/or anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ and people of color.
On digitally printed photographs, O’Connor hand-cuts and assembles brilliant starbursts and vibrant, mosaic-like hexagonal shapes in place of actual water, utilizing materials such as acrylic, cardstock, and glitter to immaculately create a complete facade of fantasy. The artist says the swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns act as a metaphor for the disillusionment of these environments.
Like most of her work, "Plunge Pools" explores the concept of American Idealism, prevalent during the mid-century, colorfully exposing the realities behind such alluringly fabricated environments.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through November 22.
Kelly O’Connor’s "Plunge Pools" dives into the leisurely world of the rich and fabulous. In her series of pool works, the artist mostly appropriates the effortlessly chic works of 20th century lifestyle photographer Slim Aarons.
Known for his postwar photographs of the elite class at rest, from American socialites to European aristocrats, Aarons simply declared he photographs attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places. O’Connor, on the other hand, takes a different stance, emphasizing how these images "often focuses on the whitewashed elite living their best lives.
The artist often thinks about what was actually happening behind the scenes in stories such as Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. Much like Aarons’ documentation, everyone looks fabulous, but in actuality it was a pretty terrible time for women, and/or anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ and people of color.
On digitally printed photographs, O’Connor hand-cuts and assembles brilliant starbursts and vibrant, mosaic-like hexagonal shapes in place of actual water, utilizing materials such as acrylic, cardstock, and glitter to immaculately create a complete facade of fantasy. The artist says the swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns act as a metaphor for the disillusionment of these environments.
Like most of her work, "Plunge Pools" explores the concept of American Idealism, prevalent during the mid-century, colorfully exposing the realities behind such alluringly fabricated environments.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through November 22.
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Admission is free.
