Garner Arts Center and Global Healthy Living Foundation Present “Delilah Blue Flynn & Magdalena Truchan On Pins and Needles: Accessible Burlesque & the Art of Adornment”

The Groundbreaking Exhibition on Disability and Redefining Beauty Standards as Seen Through the Lens of Mid-Twentieth Century Pin-up Aesthetic Opens December 18

GARNERVILLE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#art—GARNER Arts Center and the Global Healthy Living Foundation, parent organization of the international, digital patient community CreakyJoints, will present an exhibition of works by illustrator Delilah Blue Flynn and graphic designer and knitter Magdalena Truchan, On Pins and Needles: Accessible Burlesque & the Art of Adornment. On Pins and Needles spotlights and redefines the beauty standard with an exploration of disability, seen through the lens of the aesthetic of mid-twentieth century pin-up illustration and the capabilities of those we categorize as disabled. The exaggerated sexuality of pin-up illustration makes it an ideal medium to explore society’s discomfort with merging stereotypical images of beauty with disability. The free exhibition will be open to the public on Saturdays, starting with the opening reception Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 3-7pm, through Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 3-7pm.

Twenty (13×19”) ink and marker on paper illustrations will highlight women with a broad-spectrum of disabilities including autism, blindness, and depression. Delilah Blue Flynn describes the initial idea behind this exhibition, saying, “Magdalena wondered why there are not any interesting and modern representations of disabled people in art? She wanted to see women portrayed as people who are not only sexually desirable, but stylish, much like the mid-twentieth century pinups she collects. So, I chose to depict her as a modern-day pinup on wheels.”

The two quickly realized that this was an artistic expression that touched people and made an impact. Magdalena and Delilah decided to expand upon this thereby creating a series that would showcase those with disabilities who are not defined by limitations.

“It is important to celebrate disability and showcase the multifaceted nature of people with both invisible and visible disabilities. This exhibit provides a space to explore sexuality and sensuality while dispelling beauty myths that negatively impact people who don’t fit into society’s ‘beauty standard.’” said Joseph M. Coe, MPA, Director of Education and Digital Strategy, Global Healthy Living Foundation.

Magdalena’s love and interest in fashion led her to the direction of knitting. She wanted to design one-of-a-kind stylish pieces which were also adaptive for people with limited mobility. Her hand knitted wraps are an expression of her keen fashion eye and her love of fiber crafts. Influenced by Japanese and Italian designers as well as the textiles themselves, these wraps are not only utilitarian but also works of art. Magdalena will showcase eight hand knit wraps on hand painted, full-size mannequins designed by local artists.

“Over 60 million Americans have a disability of some sort. This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on how and where these folks, women especially, can be represented. One would not expect the forms of pin-up art and adaptive fashion to be intertwined, yet these two artists have done it with a style and grace that speaks to their distinct sensibilities. It is thrilling to see Magda and Delilah team up to present these vital pieces,” said Jesse Heffler, Director of Programs and Operations, GARNER Arts Center

About the Artists:

Delilah Blue Flynn graduated from NYC’s School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Illustration, where her art was featured in the 2015 Junior thesis show. Her work has appeared in various galleries throughout NYC and the Hudson Valley, and she has illustrated several children’s books, including Bradley, What Are You Doing? and King O’ The Cats. She currently resides in the Hudson Valley with her two excitable Australian Shepherds. Her work can be found at www.blueflynn.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/blueflynn/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blueflynn

Magdalena Truchan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Painting from Purchase College State University of New York. In 2013, she created a fashion and lifestyle blog Prettycripple.com. In addition, she creates humorous videos about a variety of topics, sits on the board of the nonprofit arts organization Haverstraw Riverwide Arts and seeks trying to find a filter for her no-holds-barred sense of humor. She currently resides in Rockland County, NY.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/prettycripple/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Prettycripple

Twitter: twitter.com/PrettyCripple

Optional Reservations and Covid Safety:

Reservations are encouraged, but during gallery hours, visitors without a reservation are welcome. If capacity is reached, visitors can wait to be admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Masks are required. GARNER Arts Center follows NY State COVID Safety Protocols for our visitors and staff. Thank you for understanding and helping us keep safe.

Exhibition details:

The in-person opening reception is on Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 3-7pm in Building 35. To RSVP, contact the GARNER Arts Center at info@garnerartscenter.org You can also email to set up a private viewing appointment.

Thereafter, the free exhibit will be open on Saturdays from 3-7pm until February 5, 2022. (Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.)

GARNER Arts Center is located at 55 West Railroad Avenue, Garnerville, NY 10923. Contact: (845) 947-7108 https://garnerartscenter.org/onpinsandneedles

GARNER Arts Center is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and by Rockland County’s Office of Tourism and Economic Development.

GARNER Arts Center – Social Media:

Facebook: @GarnerArtsCenter

Instagram: @garnerartscenter

About Global Healthy Living Foundation

The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease) by advocating for improved access to health care at the community, state, and federal levels, and amplifying education and awareness efforts within its social media framework. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints®, the digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research through our ArthritisPower® (ArthritisPower.org) Research Registry. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GHLF started a Patient Support Program, informed by a patient council made up of people living with a wide range of chronic illnesses, that now serves more than 30,000 people. Via CreakyJoints, GHLF also hosts PainSpot (PainSpot.org), a digital risk-assessment tool for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, and eRheum (eRheum.org), for telehealth and virtual-care support. Visit ghlf.org for more information.

Thanks & Additional Sponsors:

• Garner Historical District of New York
• New York State of Opportunity| Council on the Arts
• Rockland County Tourism
• Town of Haverstraw
• Village of West Haverstraw
• Mannequins on loan from the Daniel and Trudy Regan Foundation

Contacts

For more images and info please contact:
Director of Programs and Operations, Jesse Heffler

(845) 947-7108

info@garnerartscenter.org