The Woodmere Art Museum is pleased to announce the opening of Strange Narratives/Resilient Bodies, on Saturday, Sept. 28. This exhibition will showcase a wide range of art from Woodmeres permanent collection that presents uncanny narratives, haunted scenarios, resilient and vulnerable, reflecting the strange state of the world in perpetual time.The organization of this show, by independent curator Robert Cozzolino, invites visitors to question how artists suggest that which is not shown but seems to affect the feeling of a narrative, and leaves them searching for the beneath the surface meanings. Comprised of works by living and historical figures in the arts of Philadelphia with mysterious sentiments, seemingly supernatural gestures, or an enigmatic combination of depicted objects, the exhibition represents Woodmeres celebration of Surrealism, this year when museums and galleries worldwide are marking the centennial of the publication in Paris of the Surrealist manifesto. Artists such as Leon Kelly participated in Surrealist exhibitions in Paris in the 1920s, along with other figures, such as Thomas Chimes and Roger Anliker, known for their adaptation of the Surrealists visual strategies and approaches. My work of the last decade has grown from collaborative conversations about the multiple meanings that artworks have, states Robert Cozzolino. As I dug into Woodmeres collection, I kept finding works of art that depicted the tangible world clearly, but also bore the speculation of something present but not visible. It made me curious to learn how various cultures and artistic communities might interpret these complex narratives. Strange Narratives/Resilient Bodies puts a thoughtful scope on how artistic expression often resonates with contemporary lifes profound emotional and existential weight. Dr. Cozzolinos commitment to collaborative curation, enriched through working with Indigenous colleagues in Minnesota, ensures a nuanced presentation of these thought-provoking works. In the accompanying catalogue, Cozzolino furthers his dedication to finding new ways for museums to scrutinize existing collections through a different cultural lens. The Strange Narratives/Resilient Bodies catalogue welcomes varied voices through the in-depth conversation with Robert Cozzolino, independent curator; Chief Adam DePaul, tribal storykeeper and director of education of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania; Clan Mother Shelley DePaul, keeper of language and treaty signer liaison of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania; Jill Ahlberg Yohe, Native art curator and consultant; and William Valerio, Woodmeres Patricia Van Burgh Allison Director and CEO. The exhibition will be on view at Woodmere through May 15, 2025. About Woodmere Art Museum Housed in a 19th-century stone mansion on six acres in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Woodmere offers a unique museum experience that centers on the art and artists of Philadelphia. Vibrant exhibitions explore the achievements and social ideas of Philadelphias artists in the broader context of American art; Woodmere prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in its collecting, programming, and admission policies. It is located at 9201 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, and open to the public Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10, free of charge on Sunday. For further information, visitwww.woodmereartmuseum.org.