Dianna Bonder | Cirko Bizzaro: A Carnival of the Bizarre
to
Gallery Merrick 1806 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8T 4N5

Melissa Lochhead
Dianna Bonder, “Cirko Bizzaro: A Carnival of the Bizarre,” 2024
(courtesy of the Gallery)
Opening reception: Saturday, May 4th, 12-3pm, with Artist Talk at 2pm
"In the kaleidoscope of my imagination, where the ordinary is mundane and the bizarre reigns supreme, lies the inspiration for Cirko Bizzaro -- a testament to the peculiarities and wonders of the circus and freak show. Through 35 new paintings and mixed media pieces, I invite you into a world where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, where the Strange is the only constant.
At the heart of "Cirko Bizzaro" is a celebration of the weird and the “cutesque” – that moment where something adorable suddenly becomes distressing. Through my paintings, I seek to challenge conventional notions of beauty and normativity, inviting viewers to embrace the uniqueness of every form of life. In a world that often demands conformity, the circus provides a sanctuary for misfits and outcasts, a place where strangeness is not only accepted but celebrated.
So step right up, ladies and gentlemen, “boys and girls”, and especially those of us who are in-between, and join me on this adventure of the imagination I call "Cirko Bizzaro." Leave your preconceptions and judgements at the door and prepare to be amazed, for in this world of weird and cutesque characters, anything is possible. Welcome to the circus of the bizarre, where the only limit is your imagination."