Clayton Keyes, Mitochondrial Mother
On view October 3 - November 22, 2025 this exhibition examines environmental legacy and institutional oppression through fi gurative forms that center human and animal subjects. Drawing focus using gesture, posture, and emotional tension, this exhibition invites the viewer into a space of confrontation and reflection. Join us for the exhibition opening on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm for an evening of art admiring and interacting plus a new I Spy Challenge and Craft Kit based on the exhibit.
Subterfuge examines the predator/prey dynamics of institutions exploiting both the environment and vulnerable individuals. Featuring sculptures—blending human and animal forms—and digital images, the work delves into themes of deceit, exploitation, and environmental harm. This immersive installation invites refl ection on the ongoing exploitation of the earth and its inhabitants, urging viewers to confront these urgent, interconnected issues.
Clayton Keyes is a ceramic artist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He strives to infuse his sculptures with narratives and emotions that may be diffi cult to confront, and whose form one may fi nd stimulation or allure or maybe something troubling. He has been a professor of art in several states and has instructed numerous workshops across the US. His experiences as a teaching artist infl uences and motivates his interests as an artist to create better opportunities for connection. Keyes fi nds it important to seek a connection to a larger community through learning, collaborating, making, and displaying.
Join us for an artist talk in the gallery with Clayton Keyes on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 1:00 pm CT to learn more about the inspirations and creative processes behind the work on view. This event is free to attend, open to the public, and will have ASL interpretation provided.