OVERLAND PARK, Kansas — Art and fashion often find themselves intertwined in surprising ways, leading to remarkable collaborations that transcend traditional boundaries. This phenomenon is beautifully captured in the exhibition A Match Made in Heaven: Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott, conceived by JoAnne Northrup, the executive director and chief curator of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College in the Kansas City area.
Northrup’s vision for this exhibition materialized from her desire to collaborate with the college’s fashion merchandising and design program. In their initial discussions, the name Jeremy Scott emerged, a beloved fashion designer with deep local roots. The question remained, which artist would complement Scott’s work? Northrup immediately thought of Katherine Bernhardt, a fellow Missourian whose creative output she had recently explored. Upon hearing about the exhibition, Bernhardt was instantly drawn to Scott’s distinctive designs. “Everything just aligned,” Northrup recounted in a conversation with Hyperallergic.
The exhibition showcases an impressive array of nearly 40 large-scale paintings by Bernhardt alongside over 500 designs by Scott, including 200 pairs of sneakers created for Adidas. The exhibit bursts with vivid neon colors, eclectic textures, and pop culture references, creating an engaging aesthetic experience. During my visit, attendees navigated through an enchanting environment filled with Scott’s whimsical collection of garments, highlighting intricate details in each piece. Laughter echoed as spectators spotted humorous matches, such as an oversized caramel-colored purse shaped like a prescription bottle displayed beside a painting of Xanax.
Northrup allowed the artists creative freedom in designing the layout of the exhibition to accentuate their shared visual styles. Bernhardt’s oversized artworks dominate four galleries, with her dynamic creations claiming significant wall space. The artist’s vibrant acrylics, complete with drips, narrate a stream of consciousness filled with a medley of seemingly unconnected subjects. Imagery of Windex bottles, cigarettes, Cheetos, Diet Coke, and mushrooms float ethereally throughout her works.
Scott’s extravagant designs showcase a playful embrace of pop culture and American consumerism, aligning seamlessly with Bernhardt’s vibrant imagery. Both artists engage in a dialogue around indulgent food, featuring Cheetos, burgers, fries, and sweet treats. Scott’s inventive accessories reinforce this theme: a pizza box transformed into a handbag, a mustard cap reimagined as a hat, and lettuce leaves adding flair to footwear.
Once Bernhardt’s paintings were in position, Scott dedicated several days to exploring the artworks before introducing a collection that spans his 30-year career, including a decade with Moschino. Mannequins adorned in his designs were scattered around the space, with eye-catching ensembles like a dress modeled after a Hershey’s Kiss perfectly paired with its canvas counterpart. The highlight included Scott’s iconic hamburger dress, which captured attention when worn by Katy Perry at the 2019 Met Gala afterparty, displayed alongside a painting depicting the golden arches of McDonald’s. The delightful connections within the exhibit come together harmoniously.
The exhibition unites fashion and art effortlessly, amplifying the humor and irreverence intrinsic to both creators. Northrup noted that the idea came to her quite naturally. The dynamic between Katherine Bernhardt and Jeremy Scott is so harmonious that their collaboration feels preordained — possibly even celestial.
A Match Made in Heaven: Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott is on display at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas) until October 26. JoAnne Northrup curated the exhibition.
