Goreyosity Shop
Goreyosity Shop is an Exhibit and Auction of New Artwork Created from the Collections of Edward Gorey.
A benefit for the Edward Gorey House, Goreyosity Shop will exhibit in the Great Hall Gallery of the Cultural Center of Cape Cod and run from Wednesday, May 22nd till the culminating Goreyosity Shop Gala Auction on Saturday evening, June 1st at 6:30pm. Goreyosity Shop is an exciting repurposing of materials from the vast collections (also called the Wondrous Debris or the Barn of Sacred Junk) of Author/Artist Edward Gorey into new works of art and fine crafts by local artists.
Some Background
While residing in his Yarmouth Port home from the mid-1980s until his death in 2000, Edward Gorey collected thousands of items. They all share certain commonalities: a reflection on the passage of time, a small story in their wear and decay, a quiet inscrutability. Many of these objects are cherished items and integral to the permanent collection of the Edward Gorey House. They are priceless examples of Gorey's fascination with shape and texture. There remain, however, thousands of additional objects—boxes of iron scrap, of wood, stones, wicker, fabric, frames, yard sale art, knick-knacks— repetitious quantities of items that would likely never see the light of day in our exhibits. Yet each piece reflects Edward's character, his love of antiquity, of camp, of oddities and practical tableware, each possess the wabi sabi that he found in unlikely objects.
Back in September of 2018, the Goreyosity Shop project allowed 26 artists (23 Cape Cod and 3 Off-Cape artists) to rummage through an assortment of selected materials in the Gorey House barn. Objects were organized by clothing (Edwards and various theatrical props), fabrics, small metal objects, large metal objects, very large metal objects, architectural remnants, glass and beads, kitchenware, ceramics, tiles, silverware and cutlery, partially intact books and magazines, and plush toys running the gamut from cutesy to gross. The artists include collage and assemblage artists, fabric artists, illustrators, sculptors, furniture makers, miniaturists, jewelry makers and painters. They all return this May having incorporated their selected Goreyosities into new pieces of arteither decorative, contemplative, outrageous, wearable, useful, or otherwise.
Repurposing is the term we keep coming back to, giving new artistic life to neglected materials that Edward himself carried into the House. What would Edward think of all this? In all likelihood he would buy back every piece. As we don’t foresee this happening, there will be opportunity, a first-time opportunity, for the public to bid on works by some of the Capes and regions finest artists, all working with materials from Edward’s collections. A silent auction for select works will start before the June Gala. All works will be viewable either at the Cultural Center or by viewing them online here and at our Facebook Page.
The Gorey Barn, overrun by artists
(Sept 2018, photo by Michelle Law)
Assorted ceramics, metals and baubles (photos by the Edward Gorey House)
The Amazing World of David Bradley sculpture by Michael Ernst, left
J Is for Joseph Whose Eyes Were Jabbed Out by a Jay assemblage by Lauren Wolk, right
Figbash stuffed creature by Richard Neal, leftt
Museum Miniature (detail)
miniature assemblage by Deborah Grumet, right
Edwards Shirts and Quilt (before and after)
fabric arts by Lorraine Haynest
Cabinet of repurposed materials furniture by Richard Kiusalas
Schedule and Tickets
Goreyosity Shop opens on Wednesday, May 22 and is free to the public during the Center Hours 9am to 5pm. A reception with artists and Gorey House staff will occur on Friday, May 24th at 5pm. This is also free to the public. The Gala will be held on Saturday, June 1st at 6:30pm. Live auction of select works will occur at 8pm. Proceeds from the Gala Auction on June 1st will be split between the artists and the Edward Gorey House. Tickets to the Gala, which includes music by Broadway Central, food, bar and the auctions, silent and live, are $60.00 per person ($50.00 for Gorey House Members) and available from the Cultural Center either via phone at 508-394-7100 or online at https://www.cultural-center.org.
The Cultural Center of Cape Cod is located at 307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664 508-394-7100
From Off-Cape, use Exit 8 and south on Union/Station to Old Main Street, across Route 28, and the Center is on your left (the South Yarmouth Public Library will be on your right).
