Tornado Allies

Event Flyer

Tornado Allies is a group show featuring the multi medium, tornado inspired, works of artists Alan O’Keeffe and Adam Hurlburt. Growing up on opposite sides of the globe, both Alan (Cork,IE) and Adam (WI,US) found a connection to the weather phenomenon at a young age and twisters manifested themselves in rudimentary sketches and doodles. Odd iconography coming from two areas not known for tornado activity, yet images of the tornado remained constant in each’s works on paper for decades to come. Life’s own meandering path drew both artists through other creative pursuits until New York City in the mid-2010’s, presented the conditions for Adam and Alan to connect, reveal their mysterious affinity for the tornado and showcase their eerily similar sketches on bar top napkins. Others present, marveled at the formation seemingly from thin air and noted that like the tornados themselves, if it were any more predictable, it would cease to be referred to as an act of god.

Waterbury Wine & Spirits was at that meeting and is proud to make good on the promise to host a show, for both artists to twist down and touch the earth in our shop for a brief moment on October 5th, 2024.

Tornado Allies explores the paradox that in the path of complete and total devastation, there’s an opportunity to build in the period of calm that follows. Something as ubiquitous as the air we breathe can form awesome powers of destruction; both artists understand that your only insurance policy is your ability to create anew.

Opening Reception on October 5th from 5-9pm; show to run until October 20th, 2024.

Tornado artists Alan O’Keeffe and Adam Hurlburt

Tornado Alley