“Dopa-kinesia” at No Vacancy Gallery #art [#geekgirl]

Morwell-based artist Pezaloom lives with early-onset Parkinson’s disease and his latest artistic venture dopa-kinesia explores the breakdown in control that his body is experiencing.

Since being diagnosed with the disease much of his work in performance art has focused on the exploration of the physical and mental conditions of his illness, and the state of decay in the connection between his mind and body.

For this exhibit, Pezaloom has immersed his entire body in 160 kilograms of petroleum jelly to represent the debilitating heaviness, restriction, and slowness of the movement he experiences. The resulting self-portraits are powerful declarations that represent the artist’s immobility.

Dopa-kinesia challenges the idea of the body in art and destabilises the myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease.

Venue:  No Vacancy Gallery

Location: The Atrium at Federation Square, Melbourne

When: 15 June–5 July. Gallery times: Tues–Sat: 11am–5pm, Sunday: 12pm–5pm

Cost: Free