Reflections: Theresa Disney Exhibition Recap

The work of Theresa Disney (Saint Louis, Missouri) livens the walls of Kentuck's Museum Gallery through November 22, 2021. Theresa's vision, materials, and palette merge to create a whimsical, colorful perspective on her subjects, which range from nature to her battle with cancer. As a self-proclaimed "visual storyteller," Theresa Disney captures her personal experiences, the world she inhabits, and her own imagination through two and three dimensional work.

The forms that Disney chooses to explore and obsess over emerge in her work from an unique blending of figurative image making with abstraction. Her bold color palettes and decided textures bring the viewer into a new, wonderful world. Depictions of companionship, struggle, and beauty are boldly placed for the world to absorb in Disney's exhibition.

A walk through of the Museum Gallery transports the viewer to a new world--large scale pieces reach from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, encompassing the space in a joyful celebration of color and life.

Although filled with vibrant florals and friendly dogs, Reflections not only focuses on the natural world, but it also reveals a darker time in Disney's life. The Painted Chest takes the viewer on Disney's battle, treatment, and recovery from cancer through 30 pieces. Each piece reveals a separate part of her struggle, leaving the viewer with a deep understanding of Disney's experience.

It is her devotion to creating art that has sustained her through her personal struggles, but, in spite of her struggles, Theresa’s work consistently shows her whimsical, colorful perspective and her love of life. She pulls out the oddities and quirkiness in her subjects and the world around her and captures moments with humor and lightness. Disney's work remains true to her humor and spirit, and Reflections challenges all to see humor and hope in struggle and to remain true to the story to be told.

Disney’s work has appeared in several national publications and received numerous awards. She has been featured in St. Louis Magazine, Country Home Magazine and in the Rare Visions Road Trip book. She was selected as an American Original by More Magazine and has received many awards in visual art and folk art circles nationwide

Reflections will be on view in Kentuck's Museum Gallery until November 22, 2021. We encourage you to visit this show in person! We are currently open Monday-Friday, 9:30-5:30 and Saturday-Sunday, 12-4. Facial coverings and social distancing are preferred on Kentuck's campus. If you're interested in purchasing a piece from this show, please contact mbell@kentuck.org or call (205)-758-1257 for more photos and details. Click on each image for a closer look.

The Painted Chest

Reflections not only focuses on the natural world, but it also reveals a darker time in Disney's life. The Painted Chest takes the viewer on Disney's battle, treatment, and recovery from cancer through 30 pieces. This piece contains 30 framed prints and, if purchased, come with installation instructions. Please email mbell@kentuck.org for more photos and installation information. Click on each image for a closer look.