Dama Gallery is thrilled to present "Curious Formalities," an evocative solo exhibition by American artist Kevin Kuenster. In this latest body of work, Kuenster draws from his deep engagement with surrealist and narrative traditions to create mesmerizing compositions blending human and animal forms, blurring the line between the natural and the fantastical.

Influenced by renowned surrealists such as Leonora Carrington, Dorothea Tanning, Paul Delvaux, and Balthus, Kuenster’s work invites viewers into richly layered dreamscapes where human and animal forms fuse to explore themes of transformation, identity, and the untamed psyche. Each piece in "Curious Formalities" serves as a meditation on our complex relationship with the natural world, exploring how humanity’s inherent wildness coexists with societal expectations. His figures confront each other and the viewer in a dynamic interplay, embodying both mystery and a fragile intimacy.

Through meticulous technique, honed over years of working across various mediums from photography to fresco, Kuenster transforms his canvases into visual narratives that pulse with both symbolic depth and a playful undercurrent. "Curious Formalities" showcases his evolution as an artist, inspired by both a lifetime of creative experimentation and a deepening commitment to painting. His studio in the Hudson Valley, where natural beauty and solitude fuel his creative process, has provided a fitting backdrop for this series.

‘Curious Formalities' explores the boundaries in reality and myth, where humanity’s rationality gives way to its primal instincts. Each painting is both an invitation and a confrontation with that duality.

ARTIST

Born in Chicago in 1955, Kevin Kuenster is an American artist known for his surreal, narrative-driven work that delves into the psychological, emotional, and symbolic realms. Originally a graphic designer and photographer, Kuenster spent many years in New York’s fashion industry before devoting himself full-time to visual art. His work has been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe and has received numerous accolades. Kuenster’s paintings, often inspired by his early exposure to art and his lifelong fascination with surrealism, offer a compelling reflection on the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

ARTIST STATEMENT

In my paintings, I create narrative worlds where the familiar mingles with the surreal, focusing on characters who are, at first glance, seemingly ordinary. But a closer look reveals something strange—each figure is marked by large, rabbit-like ears. This playful distortion of human form is a central symbol in my work, a visual cue that signals our shared absurdity and vulnerability. These exaggerated ears serve as gentle, humorous reminders of our own peculiar nature, suggesting that, like animals, we are guided as much by instinct as by reason, and are just as prone to folly.

Animals frequently appear in my work, not as mere companions but as mirrors reflecting the parts of our selves we try to ignore: our primal instincts, our yearnings, and our connection to nature, which we often overlook or dismiss. Through these characters and their symbolic ears, I address the irony of human existence—our attempts to rise above the natural world while never truly being separate from it. The characters are rendered in detailed, expressive forms that capture both their humor and their fragility, creating a tension between the ridiculous and the poignant.

Each painting is a story, an invitation for the viewer to step into a world where the boundaries between human and animal, rational and instinctual, are blurred. I aim to create scenes that feel familiar yet strange, moments that speak to the shared experience of being human.

-Kevin Kuenster

Artwork details and collector inquiries are available on ARTSY, click below.

DOWNLOAD ARTWORK CHECKLIST (PDF)

SOLO FEATURE

November 8, 2024 - February 21, 2025

VIEWING ROOM

Open: November 8, 2024 - February 21, 2025