At Charmed, the artist tangles the story of the loneliest bird Nigel with her own, exploring “self-care” in late-stage capitalism.
It is no secret that we are more lonely than ever. Late-stage capitalism commodifies nearly every aspect of our lives, separating us through interests, values, and politics. Even the notion of “self-care” has become a full industry that sells us stress-relieving remedies for the very stress caused by our current economic system. “Care” for all intents and purposes has become self-serving rather than something we provide for each other.
‘Two incense and a lit cigarette’ show off two forms of self-care - both burn and fill the space with smoke - but only one would be considered “good for you”. Omaha-based artist, Shelby Keierleber showcases how gratuitous and ritualistic self-care can be. Two sticks of incense are steeped in flame while a faded silhouette of a hand holding a cigarette is dimly backlit by a yellowed window. This piece provokes a self-defensive gut reaction, especially in the wake of Keierleber’s thesis. Her work is “meant [to be] an observation on how we inhabit physical space, public and private, under the influence of an algorithmic digital realm.”
‘Lonely Seabird’ takes this idea further, acting both as a study of the infamous seabird Nigel who lived alone on an island with concrete dummies and also as a deep introspection of the artist’s own lived experience. In this exhibition, Keierleber is both unattainable and vulnerable; is she really lonely or is she choosing to be alone? In reality, it’s both. Her painting ‘Concrete companion’ captures this conundrum beautifully. The concrete bird held in a topless figure’s arms looks attentively upward. We as the viewer know that this bird isn’t real, but we can’t help but empathize and recognize something in those eyes.
Charmed curator Alex Skorija brought Keierleber’s work together into a unique conversation about the effect of loneliness on us and how we chose to cope (or not) with it. His second curation had room to breathe which emphasized the artist’s themes well and added to the viewing experience. I am very excited to see how Skorija’s curatorial technique and philosophy grows and for what conversations he brings to Charmed next.
'Lonely Seabird' finished its run on January 5th, 2025.
Main image: view of 'Lonely Seabird' at Charmed. Courtesy: Tanith K.
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