large central figure of a standing female nude reminiscent of classical sculpture; figure is peeling back abdomen to reveal a boxer fighting a human outline filled with microorganisms; background is alternating blue squares with closeups of eyes and roundels that look like Petri dishes filled with various colonies of microorganisms; red borders on sides; unframed, stretched canvas

Before and After Frankenstein: The Woman Who Knew Too Much: Observing the Natural Decay and Corruption, 1992

expand_more

Acrylic on canvasexpand_more

Gift of Cliff Benjamin, Mauiexpand_more  2023.89

Not on Viewexpand_more

Los Angeles-based artist Carole Caroompas felt that artists should make art without worrying about critics or playing to exhibitions. Artists were "supposed to assault the senses or change the world." This painting is a good example of Caroompas's values. It is rigorously designed and shows off her skill and imagination. Using an approach akin to collage, she has hand painted imagry from multiple sources to make a startling painting about the body under attack by viruses. Made during the AIDS epidemic, the painting is part of a series that questions male control of women's bodies and the pathologizing of sexuality.

Details
Title
Before and After Frankenstein: The Woman Who Knew Too Much: Observing the Natural Decay and Corruption
Artist Life
1946 - 2022
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2023.89
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

large central figure of a standing female nude reminiscent of classical sculpture; figure is peeling back abdomen to reveal a boxer fighting a human outline filled with microorganisms; background is alternating blue squares with closeups of eyes and roundels that look like Petri dishes filled with various colonies of microorganisms; red borders on sides; unframed, stretched canvas
Because of © restrictions, we can only show you a small image of this artwork.