Narcissists Don’t Kill Themselves

A Conceptual Art Show by ABE

On view November 30-December 30 2022

This exhibition delves into the nuances of love, passion and hatred. The artist invites the viewer into her year+ long relationship with a former client. Having taken place during the height of the covid19 pandemic, this intense period was in many ways relatable to those who also entered into a relationship during this time. Abe uses artworks as well as documentations, video and paintings to convey the experience.

Upon deciding to leave an intense pandemic relationship, Abe’s former lover (and SVP of -Redacted-, -Name Redacted- age 53) set fire to her entire collection of paintings that she kept at the home the two shared. Mr. -Name Redacted- met Abe in March 2020 while she was working in New York. The pair immediately fell for each other, with -Name Redacted- inviting the artist to live with him after a few months of initial courtship. -Redacted- in June 2020, the relationship lasted on and off again until Abe finally ended things in October 2021.

The title of the show, ‘Narcissists Don’t Kill Themselves’ comes from the idea that the people/person [the Narcissist’s] behavior truly effects are those they claim to love. -Name Redacted- left harassing emails, posts and messages. He threatened repeatedly to kill himself and the artist if she didn’t return to him, and finally burnt her artworks. -Name Redacted- set fire to some 30+ paintings that Abe kept in her studio; a converted three car garage on the property. Some of the destroyed works the artist had since high school and college.

Abe returned to the home and collected the remains of her artworks deciding to use them in a show. -Name Redacted- is currently back home after returning from outpatient rehab for alcoholism.

Installation view at Aqua Art Miami

SELECTED ARTWORKS IN SHOW

Four Times Fate (2022) Four Wooden Charred Logs – approx 16x5x5 each
These logs were pulled from the fire-pit after the artworks were burned.
Narcissists Don’t Kill Themselves (2022) Charred remains of painting and frame 40x40in – This is the remains of a self portrait of the artist, which was commissioned and completed by Manar Bahl. This artwork hung in the office of the home the two shared.
Installation view at Aqua Art Miami
Local Man Discovers Love (2022) Latex, paper on canvas. 24x36in – This interactive piece comes along with a cell phone that shows messages between the two

Watch This…

Running on a loop, videos of paintings burning sent via sms to the artist by her disgruntled lover displayed on screen
Video on iPad 2022
Video on iPad 2022
Keep your H. E. A. D. U. P. (2022) Burnt and charred mannequin head 13x7x5in
Installation view Aqua Art Miami