PEGGY REAVEY
The Vosburgh Poisoning Case and Other Sins
October 27 - December 10, 2022
Shelter is thrilled to present a solo exhibition of paintings by Los Angeles-based artist Peggy Reavey.
“Survival, first of all, then desire and longing, but then good girl vs bad girl; I am curious about what people do, so I paint from inside this thicket of judgements.”
Peggy Reavey
The artist, as a child, regarded herself as having two versions; one real, one pretend. The real one was good, pretty, and smart; the pretend one a liar, sneaky and dirty with parents who were also bad. Reavey’s paintings reveal the energy required to expose the “real” self to the external world, and hide the version who does things that the “real” self would disapprove of.
Reavey's work also includes imagery involving her great grandfather Reverend George Vosburgh, Pastor at the Old Bergen church in Jersey City. Reverend Vosburgh poisoned his wife, Harriet, nearly to death and was tried for attempted murder in 1878. He was acquitted, but later found to be guilty and forced to leave town. He married a wealthy woman and moved to Denver, where he led a large congregation. In the painting “Do Not Eat That”, Reverend Vosburgh wears a halo. In the words of the artist, “Halos are very practical things because you can tell who is expected to be especially good and who is not.”
Tension between desire and virtue are dominant themes within Reavey’s works. Navigating humanity’s destructive and puzzling polarity is central to the artist’s story telling. Amidst these constructs and judgments, a lantern of curiosity guides us through tales of unseen urgency, searching for a glimmer of truth yet leaving the final judgement to the viewer.
Do Not Eat That!
Oil on wood panel, 70 x 35 in (177.8 x 88.9 cm)
Uxoricide, Oil on wood panel, 60 x 48 in (152.4 x 121.9 cm)
The Vosburgh Poisoning Case
The New York Times Coverage, 1878
Friday April 19, 1878: A CLERGYMAN INDICTED.A TRUE BILL FOUND AGAINST REV. GEORGE B. VOSBURGH, OF JERSEY CITY, CHARGING HIM WITH POISONING HIS WIFE THE REVEREND GENTLEMAN ARRESTED AND RELEASED ON BAIL.
Monday May 20, 1878: THE VOSBURGH POISONING CASE
Wednesday May 22, 1878: THE VOSBURGH POISONING. TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE. MRS. VOSBURGH'S PHYSICAL CONDITION AS DESCRIBED BY DR. CARPENTER EVIDENCE OF MRS. ELIZABETH HANBERRY AND MRS. MARY ANN BUMSTED HOW DR. WILKINSON FOUND THE PATIENT.
Saturday June 1, 1878: THE VOSBURGH POISONING CASE.EX-GOV. BEDLE'S ADDRESS TO THE JURY ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT—POINTS RAISED IN FAVOR OF THE ACCUSED.
Harriet and the 12 Cabbage Heads, Oil on canvas, 60 x 30 in (152.4 x 76.2 cm)
Antimony: The King, Oil on wood panel, 22 x 52 in (55.9 x 132.1 cm)
Antimony
Antimony (Sb) is a silver-white brittle solid or a dark-gray, lustrous powder. It can be harmful to the eyes and skin. Antimony can also cause problems with the lungs, heart, and stomach. Workers may be harmed from exposure to antimony and its compounds. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.
Antimony is used in many industries. It is used to make flame-proofing materials and in some paints, glass, and batteries. Antimony is coupled with materials like lead to improve their durability.
CDC, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Acute oral exposure of humans and animals to high doses of antimony or antimony-containing compounds (antimonials) may cause gastrointestinal disorders (vomiting, diarrhea), respiratory difficulties, and death at extremely high doses (Bradley and Frederick, 1941; Beliles, 1979; ATSDR, 1990).
Burn the Bad Ones Up, 2022, Oil on wood panel, 30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
Cross the Bad Girl Out, 2022, Oil on wood panel, 30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
Lot's Daughters, Oil on wood panel, 36 x 48 in (91.4 x 121.9 cm)
And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” -Genesis 19:5
Ram in the Thicket, Oil on wood panel, 30 x 24 in (76.2 x 61 cm)
The Wolf Contemplates Not Eating the Grandmother, Oil on wood panel, 47 x 35 in (119.4 x 88.9 cm)
Girl Experiment #3, Oil on canvas, 24 x 42 in (61 x 106.7 cm)