Fountain House Gallery
Fountain House Gallery Presents “Inside My Mind”
On view: September 12 – October 30, 2024
Reception: September 12, 6-8pm
Curated by Sophie Flack
Fountain House Gallery – the premier venue in New York City representing artists living with mental illness – announces the exhibition Inside My Mind. The show will open with a reception at Fountain House Gallery on September 12, 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and will remain on view through October 30, 2024. Fountain House Gallery is located at 702 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan.
Curated by Sophie Flack, Inside My Mind invited Fountain House artists to create work that represents or expresses what it would be like if the mind were a physical space, and the viewer could take a tour of each artist’s brain – to glimpse a part of the artists that is invisible to others. What might a viewer see, hear, feel upon examining each work? Is the mental space private or wide open, light or dark, comfortable and safe, or distressing? Is it organized, chaotic, sparse? Is it nostalgic?
Curator Flack said, “I was so honored to be asked to curate this exhibit. I had the privilege of visiting the Fountain House Studio so I knew going in the level of talent, but I wasn’t prepared for how the artists really went for my prompt. The works are so raw and visceral and sometimes grotesque and unapologetically honest about what it’s like to be human; I was brought to tears. The artists often pushed themselves to try out new mediums and step out of their comfort zones and really expose themselves. The overall effect is intense and sometimes it feels a little voyeuristic but in this beautiful, totally relatable way. The artist puts a great deal of trust in the observer and that is really inspiring to me as a fellow creative; to be unabashedly open and honest is always the goal.”
Flack is a former dancer with New York City Ballet. She penned the young adult novel Bunheads (2011 Poppy/Little Brown) and spent 2017 volunteering with vulnerable populations at Sanctuary for Families and Church World Services Jersey City. Inspired by timely social causes, in Spring 2023 Flack launched the fine jewelry line Semper Augustus, which is made to order in New York City’s Diamond District. The pieces are largely inspired by popular medications and encourage the wearer to live more transparently while giving back to impactful nonprofits. Flack lives in lower Manhattan with her husband Josh, their two young kids, and their elderly dog, Zeus. In her spare time, Flack freelance edits early-stage manuscripts and studies photorealistic oil painting with artist Andrew Reiss.
This program is funded, in part, by generous support from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and the Renate, Hans and Maria Hofmann Trust.
About Fountain House Gallery & Studio: Fountain House Gallery & Studio supports the careers and creative visions of contemporary artists living with mental illness. Founded by Fountain House in 2000, the Manhattan-based Gallery sells original artworks and collaborates with a wide network of artists, curators and cultural institutions. The Studio, located in Long Island City, is a collaborative workspace that furthers the professional practice of our artists. Embracing artists who are emerging or established, trained or self-taught, Fountain House Gallery cultivates artistic growth, makes a vital contribution to the New York arts community, and challenges the stigma surrounding mental illness.
