Image courtesy Iridian Gallery
J. Alan Cumbey’s show is a mashup of Jaqueline Susann, The Muppets and gay culture. Cumbey (1957-1992) reveled in television and enjoyed theater and music, and maintained a voluminous handwritten correspondence with family and friends. Few of them knew of his extensive series of work created with colored-pencil drawings. More than 40 of his pieces, which grew in sophistication and complexity, are being shown for the first time.
The drawings feature re-appearing characters, and elements of his daily life, set in a universe of his creative imagination. He possessed a vigorous cheer that he kept in spite of his own declining health, and his sardonic, witty views found their way into Style Weekly and other publications in reviewer of music, theater and pop culture. He was Richmond's proto-Dan Savage.
“Beyond the Valley of Wigs in Space” opens Nov. 17, with an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond. The drawings will be sold as a benefit for the gallery.
Nov. 17-Jan. 27, 2018. 1407 Sherwood Ave.
804-622-4646 or diversityrichmond.org
