A History of Wonderland
Emily McPeek
2013
Memories of intergenerational storytelling inspired McPeek’s reflection on the impact of stories. Her father is depicted seated on a ledge as an orator, relaying absurd and fantastical adventures to a youthful—and clearly delighted—version of the artist, who, is in turn, surrounded by impressionistic characters, such as Appalachian folk figures and religious mystics. She describes the painting, with its overflowing characters and details, as a kind of rabbit hole that lends itself to endless exploration.