June 4, 2011
ONE NIGHT STAND
KARL GOERTZEN
NOT DEAD YET
Vernissage: Saturday June 4, 2011 / 7 – 10pm
Tunes by Big Mac Daddy
Proudly sponsored by CKCU 93.1 FM & MERCURY
Since the age of 16 I have experienced debilitating depression, suicidal thoughts, delusions, and even psychosis. It wasn’t until 2007 I was finally diagnosed with the rare Schizo-Affective Disorder (a combination of Bipolar 1 and Schizophrenia). Then last August I had what was to be (and I was sure would be) the second and final art show of my career as an artist. That was because in June 2010 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only two months to live. Also at this time, after hearing the news of having this terminal illness, I made the difficult decision to retire my brushes thinking I had said all that needed to be said about my life and battling mental illness. However it has been almost one year since I was told I would die from my cancer, but despite the prognosis I continue to survive. I realized quickly after my show in 2010 that there was definitely more I needed to say and so resumed painting soon after.
This show was actually imagined as a fundraiser to be held in my memory once I had passed away, however since I haven’t gone anywhere, we might as well go ahead with the show. And frankly, as much as that would have been a nice thing to do in my honor, I’m rather glad I could be here for it instead.
This show will be a display of my cartoon works. I have been doodling, drawing, and sketching for as far back as I remember. From my imagination I invented many characters such as aliens, animals, people, whatever I could think of. I drew them my own way with my own personal style. My army of cartoons are a shy, melancholy lot. They are like little beings with big problems, but every now and then you will see the slightest bashful smile come out. Every one of their faces has mirrored my own. Most of the cartoons you will see at this fundraiser were first imagined in my mid-twenties, and I decided it was time for them to stop being so shy, get out there, and raise some money for a really great organization.
All the artist proceeds from the show will be donated to the Salvation Army. I chose this organization because they provide clothing and shelter to the homeless. And this is important to me because a high percentage of the people living on the street suffer from mental illness. I have been blessed with a loving and supportive network of people who have helped me weather my battle with mental illness, and also lucky enough to have the means to support myself. But without those things, as so many are, I could easily have ended up on the street.
