“Playing Possum,” A Solo Art Exhibition by Anja Notanja Sieger at Grove Gallery

(Milwaukee)— On Friday, January 17th, 5-9pm and Saturday, January 18th, 12-4pm, a show of intricately hand-cut paper shapes by Anja Notanja Sieger will debut at Grove Gallery in Walker’s Point. Just as a possum can simultaneously access both living and deceased realities when threatened, at Playing Possum, you’ll view life and death at the same time through these positive / negative silhouettes. There will be large single sheets of paper sliced so finely by knives that they resemble woodcuts. In the window, there will be a hanging installation of the artist’s shadow puppets that have appeared in several theater productions and music videos. Solar prints of these shadow puppets will also be on display.

Sieger’s work is distinctly improvisational and lush with detail. Forging a humorous rebellion against the frightening and the unknown is a consistent theme in her work. Sieger’s influences include Dada, Surrealism, and the possibly-dead-possibly-alive creatures she sees on her walks. Sieger will be at the gallery during open hours on February 8th and 15th to offer “Voices of The Animal Kingdom” alongside a couple poet friends. Each poet will represent a single animal and provide insightful prose inspired by a study of that creature. Please arrive with a question and a donation to receive the typewritten thoughts of animals.

On February 22nd, the closing day of Playing Possum, there will be a shadow puppet and poetry performance. The spectacle will feature performances by workshop participants held in the gallery earlier that day. More information on the workshop to be announced soon.

GALLERY NIGHT & DAY: Friday, January 17th, 2024, 5-9 PM & Saturday, January 18th, 2024 12-4 PM

CLOSING: Saturday, February 22nd, 12-4 PM

FEBRUARY 8th and 15th (during open hours): “Voices of The Animal Kingdom,” a typewriter poetry performance.

SHADOW PUPPET WORKSHOP & PERFORMANCE: Saturday, February 22nd with a 1pm Workshop and 3pm Performance.

Grove Gallery is open to the public, noon-4pm on Saturdays. The show will close on February 22nd.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.