Heather Benjamin's 'New Strangeness Bloom' Rewrites Myths of Womanhood
Set against dreamlike desert landscapes.
Heather Benjamin’s New Strangeness Bloom, now on view at Olympia in NYC, explores the complexities of womanhood through surreal, symbol-filled paintings. Drawing from her background in zine-making, Benjamin blends mythology, memory and self-exploration into dreamlike desert landscapes.
Her figures, part deity and part drifter, navigate barren worlds where strange flowers thrive under electric skies. These blooms, both real and symbolic, represent resilience in harsh environments. Inspired by Surrealism and outsider art, Benjamin’s work mixes the raw and the fantastical: floating lovers, cryptic phrases on cowboy hats and butterflies emerging from shattered mirrors.
Referencing Diane di Prima’s Loba, the exhibition reimagines femininity through a warped Americana lens. Elements like polished claws, crushed cockroaches and shifting realities challenge traditional myths of womanhood. The exhibition is on view through March 29.
Olympia
41 Orchard St.
New York, NY 10002
