Pegasus Gallery:

Jennifer Wheeler, Recent Works

In Pegasus Gallery:
JENNIFER WHEELER, “RECENT WORKS”

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 31, 2011
RECEPTION ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 13, 11:30AM-1:00PM.

Jennifer Wheeler employs bright saturated colors and dislocating compositions of both formal and narrative themes. Paintings in Wheeler’s "Wonderland" series are hallucinogenic riffs on the horror vacui ("fear of empty space") traditions of Celtic and Islamic art in as much as the abstract space of a kaleidoscope. Here however, fragmented imagery of the “Alice in Wonderland” narrative collide within a world of both implied violence and imaginary play. Whirling and tumbling Alice figures, menacing cats, rabbits and mushroom forms are engaged by Godzilla, baby dolls and Barbie. Upturned dresses and suggestive paper cutout imagery are threatened by long dramatic shadows. In this series Alice's adventure is a loss of innocence and references more expansive issues of childhood trauma.
Wheeler holds a BFA from the Lyme Academy College of art where she currently teaches. She earned an MFA from Western Connecticut State University and also teaches at the University of Connecticut and Three Rivers Community College.

Attached Image: "Wonderland I ," oil on panel, 48x48 in.

For more information please contact:
Matthew Weber, Art Curator
860.343.5806, mweber@mxcc.commnet.edu