Narcissists Don’t Kill Themselves

Julia Seabrook Gallery July 1- August 12

Opening Reception July 1, 2022 – 6-9 pm

A Conceptual Art Show by Amelia Ford

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. Ford uses artworks as well as documentations, video and paintings to convey the experience.

Upon deciding to leave an intense pandemic relationship, Ford’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 Amelia 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 Amelia finally ended things in October 2021.

The pair were no strangers to drama just as the show itself is very dramatic. Ford has open charges and a pending court date for totaling -Redacted- leased bmw while driving without a license. There were upwards of 320 PayPal and Zelle transactions sent between the two parties over a years period. Police visited their home numerous times for domestic disputes.

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 Ford kept in her studio; a converted three car garage on the property. Some of the Burt works the artist had since high school and college.

Not wanting to take legal recourse, Amelia Ford emailed -Redacted- and -Name Redacted- was eventually fired from his job due to the harassment he inflicted upon the artist.

Amelia Ford returned to the home and collected the remains of her artworks deciding to use them in a show. She now lives in Manhattan and keeps a studio in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. -Name Redacted- is currently in outpatient rehab for alcoholism.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMELIA FORD

Below you will see the artworks made specifically for the show as well as pieces as they were prior to being burned.