The enduring popularity of “Geek Love” is on display at Brassworks Gallery in Southeast Portland until Sept. 7.
The gallery is hosting an exhibit featuring 93 works created by 57 artists from five countries inspired by the 1989 novel by the late Portland writer Katherine Dunn. All but two were created specifically for the show, which was put together by co-owner and curator Robin Weirich.
“So many people are inspired by 'Geek Love,' especially artists, who say that reading it was a life-changing experience,” said Weirich, who titled the show “Carnival Fabulon based on Geek Love by author Katherine Dunn.”
The novel is the story of a traveling carnival operated by Aloysius "Al" Binewski and his wife "Crystal" Lil. When their business faltered, the couple decided to breed their own freak show by using drugs and radiation to alter the genes of their unborn children. They include Arturo ("Arty," also known as "Aqua Boy"), a boy with flippers for hands and feet; co-joined twins Electra ("Elly") and Iphigenia ("Iphy"); Fortunato ("Chick"), a normal-looking baby with telekinetic powers; and Olympia (“Oly”), a hunchbacked albino dwarf, who writes the novel as a family history for her daughter, Miranda.
Despite the outlandish premise, “Geek Love” became a celebrated best-seller. As the New York Times wrote in a profile of Dunn several months after she died in May 2016, “The book connected with readers of all kinds, but especially self-identified freaks, people who felt misunderstood, college students, artists.”
The exhibit features paintings, drawings, sculptures, carvings, and a weaving depicting the main and other characters in “Geek Love.” The twins are the most popular, appearing in no fewer than 19 works. Others who drive the plot also appear, including Miss Lick, a manipulative TV dinner heiress who convinces women more attractive than her to mutilate themselves to avoid becoming sex objects. All are substantial works of high quality.
Brassworks Gallery opened 10 years ago in October and moved to its current location at 3022 N.E. Glisan St. three years ago. Weirich said the idea for the show was first suggested at the time by a patron and artist who gave her a copy of the book, which she had not heard of. Without the time to read it then, Weirich gave the book to her husband, artist and illustrator Gregory Hergert, and asked if it would inspire him to create a piece. He responded that the gallery should curate an entire show on it.
“He felt the book represented the complications of family, sibling rivalry and family love,” she said.
Weirich said she solicited the pieces primarily through the gallery’s Instagram account, which is how many of its shows are put together. She did a post on Dec. 12, 2022, and received a record 34 comments such as “Yes please! I met Katherine once, she was so cool,” “This is my favorite book! Like ever,” and “Adore this book! The grotesqueries within belies the genuine heart within.”
Weirich did another post on June 2, 2023, saying the artist roster was being put together and artists from all over the world said they would participate. After the Aug. 10, 2024, opening date was set, she began selecting the artists late last year.
“The requirement to be in the show was that you had to read the book and create something based on what you read, and we would know if you didn't,” she said.
According to Weirich, several artists said they had created a piece or body of work on the book over the years. Two local artists even had "Geek Love" tattooed across each hand. Only one artist submitted a previous piece from 2013, however, along with a new one.
“It always takes your breath away when you put a call to action to a creative mind to create something such as a character form the book 'Geek Love' and then see the work come in. To see the different interpretations of a character such as the twins by so many different artists is a truly spectacular experience when you start opening boxes and seeing the paintings, drawings and sculptures,” Weirich said.
One artist is Chris Carman, an illustrator, graphic artist, and art instructor in the Bay Area, California. He fell in love with “Geek Love” when he first read it at age 13 and has reread it many times since then. Among his other projects, Carman is working on an upcoming authorized illustrated limited edition of the book. It is expected to be published in late 2026 by Centipede Press. He submitted an illustration for the book of Oly and Miss Lick titled “Chapter 12: Miss Lick’s Home Flicks,” which is where they first meet in the book.
“The show is incredible. There are so many interpretations. I hope the book’s fans are very happy with it,” said Carman, who plans to travel to Portland soon to see the show in person.
Dunn’s son Eli Dapolonia, Ph.D., believes the show is the largest single exhibit of the many works of art inspired by his mother’s book.
“Mom would have loved the show,” said Dapolonia, the executor of Dunn’s estate, a Licensed Psychologist, and the principle owner of Archer Apollo Neuropsychology in Southeast Portland.
Dunn grew up in Tigard and Portland, briefly attended Reed College, and published her first novel “Attic” in 1970 and then “Truck” in 1971. She was a single mother working multiple jobs while writing “Geek Love,” including waitressing at the Stepping Stone Café and bartending at the Earth Tavern in Northwest Portland, and writing the sassy “Slice” column and covering boxing for Willamette Week. “Toad,” a previously unreleased novel written before “Geek Love,” was published in 2022. “Near flesh,” a collection of short stories, some previously unpublished, is scheduled to be released in late 2025.
“Carnival Fabulon"at Brassworks Gallery runs through Sept. 7. The gallery is open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays. It's located at 3022 N.E. Glisan St. The phone number is 503-593-9311.
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