Steven Epstein
 “Underground Love, Double Feature”, acrylic/collage, 24”H x 42” W, 2023, SOLD

Underground Love, Double Feature
It seems that love, whether in the catacombs beneath the Opera House in Paris or an underground crypt in England, while ambitious, are bound to fail. In “The Phantom” the opera singer, Christine, is horrified when curiosity overcomes her and she unmasks her mentor. “Feast your eyes – Glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!” Frankenstein’s Monster comes across a dining Dr. Pretorius in a crypt and is recruited in the Dr’s plan to create another being from dead bodies. “Woman. Friend. Wife,” says the delighted monster. Alas, she too is horrified when confronted by her suitor. A double feature of underground, unrequited love. Sometimes I think we need monsters, and artists, to feel our pain.