Suzanne Banning: “Beyond Lolita”

Explore perversion in “Beyond Lolita.” Inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial book Lolita, artist Suzanne Banning took photos of herself. The images include her dancing around a studio — topless, dressed as a schoolgirl (complete with pigtails, but missing panties), in a polka-dot bikini or in a tight gingham dress. Banning read the book and lots of criticism of it to prepare for her role as what Nabokov calls a “nymphet.” Her images bring out the dual personality of a young girl who is both a sexually domineering seductress and a naive, attention-starved victim.

Looking at photos such as Lolita 19 (enjoying midnight cherries), in which Banning sits, legs apart, in a polka-dot bikini eating cherries off her fingers, or Lolita 30 (upskirt voyeur), you can’t help but shudder at the creepiness of it all. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. New Gallery/Thom Andriola, 2627 Colquitt. Through November 24. For information, call 713-520-7053 or visit www.newgallery.net. Free.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Starts: Oct. 20. Continues through Nov. 24, 2007