DOROTHY IANNONE

This section reflects on the part of the exhibition that focuses on the early work of Dorothy Iannone. It follows Dorothy's journey as she moves to New York alongside her husband, James Upham. As they settle into their new life, Dorothy starts to experiment with painting. To create her unique Expressionist compositions, sometimes she discards conventional brushes in favour of her own fingers as tools. Slowly but surely, her canvases start to come alive, with figurative elements and more concrete shapes.

Within this section, a captivating journey begins as we delve into the true love story. Dorothy and her husband James Upham take a boat to Iceland where a life-changing encounter awaits. Dorothy’s path intersects with that of the Swiss artist, Dieter Roth. Their meeting sparks an undeniable connection, and Dorothy finds herself falling deeply in love. This encounter would have a profound impact on the trajectory of her life and her art, forever altering its course.

Dorothy describes ecstatic unity as the state of “becoming one with the other” through erotic love. This concept of “ultimate union” and “ecstatic unity” originates from her exploration of “complete intimacy.” In Tibetan Buddhism, enlightenment is also referred to as “ecstatic unity.” Love becomes the inspiration for the work. 

In the exhibition, Dorothy Iannone's two distinct series (People and Movie People) of painted wooden cutouts converge within a single room, giving rise to an intriguing ensemble. The space exudes the ambience of a miniature theatre, serving as a convergence point — an artistic pantheon —where diverse characters from distant past and present intertwine. In this captivating realm, mythological figures cross paths with pop stars and renowned artists.

Apparently, artists are tantric when they are making their art. Om Ah Hum is probably coming from the Buddhist mantra. Some years ago, Dorothy experienced a period when her body appeared reluctant to cooperate with her mind. She contemplated the idea of learning a meditative technique to overcome these challenges. However, she decided that if she was going to embark on such a journey, she should seek guidance directly from the source. In the late 50s, Dorothy had read Alexandra David-Neel's 'Magic and Mystery in Tibet', which left a profound impact on her. After some years of searching for answers, Dorothy felt a profound connection to Tibetan Buddhism, she felt entirely at home, knowing that this spiritual path was where she should cultivate her artistic garden.

This part of our journey focuses on female liberation and intimate moments in the kitchen. The room features a stunning piano at its centre, and resembles a concert hall, with a towering Statue of Liberty. Beyond its apparent grandeur, the space holds numerous secrets, waiting to be uncovered.

The final room is dedicated to games and fun. Here, you can enjoy reading the artist’s books while immersing yourself in the unique sound archive by Dorothy. The centrepiece of this room is an exquisite Roulette Table, reminiscent of a real event that took place in Düsseldorf, where Dorothy once invited her friends to indulge in play!