R.kelly Clipperton: Outcasts, Black Sheep & Family Secrets
27 Mar 2019.  -

After almost a five-year hiatus from exhibiting his work, R.kelly Clipperton returns with a show about outcasts, black sleep and family secrets. Aptly titled Agnes & Graydon, after his late maternal great aunt and paternal grandfather, Clipperton’s new series explores the territory families often avoid. “The inspiration had been building for a few years as I discovered new bits and bites of information on these two late relatives of mine,” says Clipperton of the series.

The idea for this series came to Clipperton during a conversation with his mother in which she made a passing comment about Agnes, “Well you know she was married before . . .,” a statement that would call into question the last 50 years of their relationship, “Never once in my near 50 years on the planet had I heard of this previous marriage . . . the whole idea started to pull together when I imagined all these moments that families don’t talk about . . . coupled with how these two embraced my young blooming gayness without judgement.”

The opening reception on Thursday, May 30 will also act as the launch for his first photo book If The House Was on Fire, I’d Want You Around. Agnes & Graydon will be on display from Thurs, May 30 to Sun, June 9, 2019.