The Walter Anderson Museum of Art takes a running leap “down the rabbit hole” in the exhibition, The Surreal South of Ke Francis. The works included in this exhibition span from large painted screens to engravings and intricately bound books each responding in some way to Francis’ volume, The Devil and the Mudcat. This collection of works is a modern southern gothic fever dream, dramatically transporting the viewer through the lens of classics such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Paradise Lost, and Dante’s Inferno.​

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Ke Francis is an artist, storyteller, and book-maker. In his practice, he moves easily from large scale paintings to detailed engravings that parallel the narratives of his books. His work, The Devil and the Mudcat is a gritty nod to the likes of Lewis Carol and John Milton, blending traditional narratives with folklore of the modern South. This exhibition will explore the archetypal figures found in the artist’s work and his connection to the ancient art of storytelling.