Exhibition Statement

Our experience as part of the Curation Club has been fun, exciting, and eye-opening. Working together as a group, we shared ideas and explored how a curated exhibition could come to life. One of the biggest things we discovered is that curation itself is a creative practice and an art form in its own right. We learned how very different works can connect, sometimes through something as simple as a shared color or subject, like buildings or blue backgrounds. The process was thoughtful and enriching, helping us understand both how possible and how complex organizing an exhibition can be. It also encouraged us to think about accessibility and how exhibitions can welcome more people in.

To decide on a theme, we began by brainstorming ideas inspired by the artworks. Some of our early themes included “Nature,” “Stranger than Usual,” “Times They are a Changing,” “Humor,” and “Outer Space.” As a group, we voted and initially chose “Stranger than Usual.” From there, we selected works that embraced a sense of the unusual. As we looked more closely, we noticed a recurring thread: anatomy. Across the pieces, there were skeletons, humans, animals, plants, and even mythical creatures. This discovery helped us shape a title that could unify the exhibition.

We thought carefully about language when coming up with the exhibition’s title. While “Strange Anatomy” reflected our theme, we recognized that the word “strange” can carry negative connotations when used to describe people. We also considered “Curious Anatomy,” but it didn’t feel quite right. Eventually, we arrived at Wondrous Anatomy, a title that celebrates difference in a positive way. “Wondrous” suggests something unique, remarkable, and worthy of appreciation.

For us, this exhibition is about anatomy in the broadest sense. It goes beyond human or animal bodies to include plants, imagined beings, and even the structures of society itself. At the same time, it reflects individuality and self-expression. The artworks are shaped by personal interests: pop culture, magical creatures, horror, time, collage, and more and show how we each bring our own perspectives into what we create.

As artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities, this exhibition is also a celebration of difference. It highlights how creativity allows us to express who we are and how we see the world. There is both beauty and strangeness all around us, and Wondrous Anatomy invites viewers to notice, appreciate, and find meaning in both.

About Curation Club

The Curation Club is a collaborative, artist-driven initiative at North Pole Studio that centers artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities as curators, decision-makers, and cultural producers. We believe that exhibition-making is not only a professional practice, but a creative and social process: one that should be accessible, equitable, and responsive from its very beginning.