A solo exhibition by American artist Kevin Kuenster with surrealist and narrative traditions to create mesmerizing compositions blending human and animal forms, blurring the line between the natural and the fantastical.

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.