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From Darkness to Madness – Steven J. Alles Exhibition Glasgow West End

21 August – 3 September, 2026

Exhibition Launch Friday 21 August, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Reacting Creatively to Moral Injury inflicted by a Corrupt Government

The Alchemy Experiment, 157 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8TS

From Darkness to Madness is a body of work from an American physician during civil deterioration of life in the United States.

Overview

From Darkness to Madness is a body of work from an American physician during civil deterioration of life in the United States. The work is mainly autobiographical as the artist uses himself as subject across the spectrum of gender to describe pushback to policies that undermine public health and equality. Dark Glaswegian cityscapes, iconic American architecture and fierce drag queens come together in a mad way to describe the political pendulum of the 21^st century.

Gender Expression, Nerve and Metaphysics

It takes enormous courage and nerve to dress in drag and go out in public as I did to promote sexually transmitted disease testing and prevention at Pride events during my public health career in Philadelphia. I paint and draw images of myself in drag to tell personal stories, some involving time travel to share important messages with my younger self and other important people in my life. These experiences have taught me to push harder by walking into deeper water and to appreciate the value of fear as a motivator to do the right thing.

Worsening State of Affairs

In the States, last year pales in comparison to 2026 as the white, male, wealthy, straight, Christian agenda of the Trump administration violently divides a country founded in being a melting pot of immigrants of varying cultures and lifestyles. More insulting than the heinous crimes is the intentional failure of the United States Justice Department to investigate and prosecute those responsible. The killings in Minneapolis and the uninvestigated sex crimes contained in the Epstein files are just a few examples of ongoing gross injustices that make living each day in the US difficult. Added to this we are experiencing the normalization of insults and bullying from the White House and their Project 2025 emboldened circus.

Moral Injury: Undermining Science, Triggering Trauma

On a professional level – I am outraged by the detriment to scientific research and health policy, vaccine uptake, women’s reproductive rights, infectious disease prevention and access to healthcare for poor and marginalized populations. Proindustry environmental deregulation and climate science cessation are at the forefront of this agenda worsening American pollution and accelerating us towards what will likely be the greatest threat to health and safety for the world.

On a personal level – Federal leaders behave as bullies using insults as a political strategy to undermine vulnerable people and set back advancements in social liberty. Restrictions and limiting rights for LGBTQ+ people have escalated. This can be triggering for anyone who experienced verbal and physical violence in the past. It’s idiotic to think that in 2026 gay people are going back in the closet, that same-sex married couples will tolerate the nullification of their legal unions or that intersex and transgender people will not continue to be born. We are not going anywhere.

For the past three summers, Scotland has served as a haven from American chaos with its historical beauty, modern vibe, creative scene and lovely people. I am making art that describes my surroundings, addresses my reaction to current events, tells authentic stories from a queer perspective, and pushes a narrative to not tolerate bullshit and unkindness. Physicians and drag queens are a threat to the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. This is true because we are dedicated to the truth, have a deep moral compass and use our intellect, creative power and toughness to fight back.

Steven J. Alles is an American born physician artist who earned his master’s degree in fine art in 1995 from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) while working for the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Rochester in upstate New York.  In 2024, Dr. Alles resigned from public health service to become a full-time painter and frame maker.  He now rents a local studio and is actively creating work in his expressive style with an evolving message of vulnerability, determination and equality.

Instagram: @steven.alles and Website www.inliquid.org/artist/alles-steven.

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