Opening reception: Thursday August 13, 8-11pm
Gallery hours: Wednesday – Saturday 3-7
Address: Queen’s Nails, 3191 Mission St, San Francisco

Queen’s Nails is pleased to announce Alter Ego, a group exhibition about truth in fiction.

The term “alter ego” signifies a second self or a split personality. Often, this type of identity construction is indicative of a certain pathology, such as in the case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr Hyde by Stevenson. In this case, the second self is created because the desires of the individual fail to fit the strictures imposed by civilization, and thus create the imposter as an outlet. Alternatively, a second persona is often created as a way to access new communities, ideas, and activities otherwise unattainable in one’s normal form, such as in the case of Superman. Without the identity of Clark Kent, Superman would be unequivocally an outsider. Whether we invent masks for ourselves because we fear the ramifications of our actions without them, or whether we don a new hat for personal amusement, escape, or growth, or just to fit it, the fact is that living in a bifurcated world of invented mindsets identities is both prevalent and pervasive.

The featured artists in Alter Ego, all share the fact that they have constructed identities and personas for themselves as artworks, apart from their “real” persons. These alternative identities exist for many reasons, for pleasure, as rebirth, due to psychosis, or for utility, and we invite you to come and explore this psychological investigation.

Alter Ego features new work by artists:

* Anne McGuire A.K.A. Freddy McGuire
* Tom Borden and Eric Gibbens (A.K.A. Khyssup Muistardeaux)
* Jaime Cortez
* Jon Santos
* Jordan Essoe
* Vita Hewitt (A.K.A. Chuck)
* Kristin Lucas (A.K.A. Kristin Lucas)
* Lizabeth Eva Rosoff (A.K.A. Kelly Flynn)
* Linda Trunzio (A.K.A. Sonni Trunzio)
* And Neal White (A.K.A. The Incredible Randy)

Link