”When I Think about a Minotaur" - Paintings & Drawings by Heyd Fontenot

Between December 6, 2023, and January 13, 2024, SomoS Arts in Berlin presents “When I Think about a Minotaur,” a solo exhibition of paintings and drawings by esteemed American visual artist Heyd Fontenot, in which he removes the fig leaf from mythology.

In “When I Think about a Minotaur,” the maverick multidisciplinary artist invokes the multifaceted narratives of mythology, exploring the rich tapestry of diverse relationships and identities within its lore. Fontenot's work delves into mythology not as an archaic or outdated form of storytelling but as a vibrant, evolving commentary on human experiences and sexualities that defy the constraints of the normative.

The artist's drawings breathe life into an intimate sphere where the mythological intertwines with the personal, utilizing symbolism as a tool for liberation. Amidst a cultural landscape still shadowed by outdated taboos around nudity, Fontenot's pieces urge a renaissance of perception—inviting the observer to see the naked form as an emblem of vulnerability, intimacy, and unfiltered truth, rather than merely sexual. His sensitive artistry dismantles the idolization of the 'ideal' physique, championing body positivity and fluidity, literally and ideologically placing the real body on a pedestal.

Featuring figures such as centaurs, Medusa, and many characters that appear to be simply human, the gallery space invites to a labyrinthine journey, reminiscent of life's intricate paths laden with joy, error, and the inescapable presence of our own internal Minotaurs.

WHEN: December 6, 2023 - January 13, 2024, Tue - Sa, 2 - 7 pm
From December 22, by appointment only.
Opening reception: December 5, 6 - 9 pm Free entry

WHERE: SomoS – Kottbusser Damm 95, 1.0G, 10967, Berlin
U8 – Schönleinstraße