(triptych, 108 × 18 × 1.5″, 2025, mixed media collage on canvas with river clay, tissue, crossword puzzles, COVID test instructions) – Based on the ancient fresco from Pompeii’s House of the Vettii, this three-panel narrative depicts the tragic myth from Euripides’ “The Bacchae.” King Pentheus of Thebes banned the worship of Dionysus, driving the god’s frenzied followers – including Pentheus’ own mother – into divine madness. The layered materials create an archaeological quality, connecting ancient religious ecstasy and violence with contemporary fragmentation. The title references the 1966 garage rock song by Count Five.
GJ Gillespie is a collage artist living in a 1928 farmhouse overlooking Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, WA. A prolific artist with 23 awards to his name, his work has been exhibited in 71 shows and appeared in more than 200 publications. Beyond his studio practice, Gillespie channels his passion for art by running Leda Art Supply, a company specializing in premium sketchbooks. Whether conjuring vivid collage compositions or enabling other artists through exceptional tools, Gillespie remains dedicated to the transformative power of art.
