Divine Personality Disorder: A retrospective that plunges into the imaginative and sharp-witted world of artist Konstantin Kakanias

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What: Rebecca Camhi Gallery proudly unveils one of its most ambitious exhibitions to date: Divine Personality Disorder, a retrospective that plunges into the imaginative and sharp-witted world of artist Konstantin Kakanias. A close friend and long-time collaborator with the gallery, Kakanias presents a body of work that spans decades, embodying his Greek roots and Californian influences, in a fusion of satire, glamour, and existential inquiry.

Known for blending art and fashion with unmatched flair, LA-based Kakanias has been hailed for using his work as a mirror to contemporary society, delivering biting commentary through his alter-ego, the fabulous and acerbic Mrs. Tependris. This new exhibition goes beyond Mrs. Tependris’ playful social critiques, offering a deeper exploration of Kakanias’ darker themes. Paintings, magazine illustrations, sculptures, photographs, and rare sound recordings—produced from 1996 to the present—convey a journey through psychological trauma, sexuality, consumerism, religion, and social class, rendered in both whimsical illustrations and provocative canvases.

Kakanias’ work swings between hauntingly surreal narratives and cheeky high-society caricatures, using the sharply glamorous lens of Mrs. Tependris to explore Greek identity, cosmopolitanism, and the illusions of elitism. Through his irreverent muse, he tackles issues as varied as social media vanity, nationalistic fervor, and identity politics, weaving humor and elegance into social critique. Notably, visitors will encounter photographs in which the artist himself dons personas, embodying characters both heroic and mischievous, to challenge notions of identity and self.

A specially crafted maze guides guests through Kakanias’ mythologically tinged, darker universe, inspired by his time on Mount Athos. Here, interactions with monks melded with reflections on his childhood, creating dreamlike works where nightmares emerge from shadowy forests and ocean depths, conjuring a mystical consciousness. Scenes from his 2009 exhibition Daniel transport viewers to ancient landscapes, casting memories as haunting mythologies rooted in the depths of Greek heritage.

Konstantin Kakanias, portrait by Christopher Bagley

The exhibition unfolds with Mrs. Tependris’ satirical adventures, from her 2004 Olympic escapades to the audacious That’s Mine Bitch. Do Not Touch. Back Off series (2018), each piece a witty critique of fashion fads, social media excesses, and the rise of plastic surgery. Kakanias’ long-running series for Greek Vogue’s “Last Page,” where he reimagines Greek civilization through couture-clad tableaus, is also on display, alongside collaborations with The New York Times and Town & Country magazines. A highlight is the artist’s two limited-edition sound recordings from 2002, co-created with Marina Rosenfeld and pressed on vinyl in a limited run of 40.

With a razor-sharp eye, Kakanias’ work seeks catharsis amid modern chaos, offering visitors a strikingly poignant, glamorous, and unforgettable look at the complexities of contemporary life.

He states, “Whether through comedy or satire, and with complete freedom, my work is a constant search for the balance between the extremely superficial world and my innermost self, in order to reveal my pathos and obsessions.”