This February, Julia Gfrörer will present the exhibit Play Dead, at Floating World Comics in Portland, showcasing the original art to her exquisite new book, Black is the Color. Join Julia on Thursday, February 6th for the opening reception for her exhibit and a book signing from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.
Black is the Color begins with a 17th century sailor abandoned at sea by his shipmates, and as it progresses he endures, and eventually succumbs to, both his lingering death sentence and the advances of a cruel and amorous mermaid. The narrative also explores the experiences of the loved ones he leaves behind, on his ship and at home on land, as well as of the mermaids who jadedly witness his destruction. At the heart of the story lie the dubious value of maintaining dignity to the detriment of intimacy, and the erotic potential of the worst case scenario. Julia Gfrörer’s delicate drawing style perfectly complements the period era of Black Is the Color, bringing the lyricism and romanticism of Gfrörer’s prose to the fore. Black Is the Color is a book as seductive as the sirens it depicts.
Floating World Comics is located at 400 NW Couch St. in downtown Portland. The exhibit runs through February 28th.
