In honor of Rare Disease Month, we are proud to announce our February exhibition featuring the work of Peter Sonenshein, a Philadelphia artist living with familial dysautonomia.
On Thursday, February 1st, from 6-8pm, join us in celebration of Peter’s “Visions from behind the Curtain,” a body of work made, in part, behind the hospital curtain.
Peter Sonenshein, born in 1984, has lived his entire life with familial dysautonomia (FD). FD is a rare neurological condition that causes Peter physical and psychological suffering, but also gives a unique expression to his work. Painting and drawing help Peter to deal with the uncertainty and anxiety caused by FD.
Peter has lived in suburban Philadelphia all his life. The seeds for his interest in art were sown as a student in a progressive elementary school where he was exposed to a variety of art classes. In 2012, Peter began private art lessons at The Oasis Art Center in Philadelphia.
Beside discovering a talent for and a joy in painting, he found that the sense of community helped to alleviate some of the isolation that resulted from his illness. Peter considers himself a fighter who never gives up when unpredictable bouts of illness strike. He enjoys the sense of accomplishment in completing each piece of art.
Please RSVP at the “Register” button above. We look forward to seeing you at our gallery in celebration of Pete’s extraordinary work!
14 East 109th Street, NYC.
To learn more about familial dysautonomia, click here to watch our FRAME film.
Featured Image Details
Title: “The Spiketator,” 2022
Media: Oil pastel on paper
Size: 12″ x 16″
This piece features a moment in basketball history during which a potentially important shot is being taken, but the image hones in not on the unnamed player or even the game, but the famous spectator in the audience (Spike Lee).
Peter has an interest in the awkward and/or underdog moments in sports, and this image has particular resonance with him as his own role of spectator in most sports due to his illness inhibiting participation.