The Phatory LLC Gallery is pleased to announce Oatmeal and Lithium, an exhibition of work by Kit Keith. The exhibition opens June 17 and runs through July 25. An artist’s reception will take place on Thursday, June 17 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Coming out of Pop Art’s response to mass production, the works in the exhibit consider the nature of the normal and the struggle of those who struggle to situate themselves in relation to the mainstream. Keith, who is bi-polar, explores issues of conformity by painting 1950s style period portraits, mainly of women, along with discreetly-placed text, on commercial products of the period such as wallpaper, records albums, and linoleum. By reflecting back on this era, these complex collage-like paintings also explore contemporary questions of identity.

Kit Keith was born in St. Louis and learned graphic lettering while apprenticing with her father, who was a professional sign painter. She then studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. Keith also performed for six years as a trapeze artist with the Sailor Circus of Sarasota, Florida.