The bandanas used for Alice Marie Perreault’s disabled son’s tracheostomy and oral care are now on view in a small art gallery in Long Beach, an arrangement of patterned fabrics and tubes drawing attention to his medical dependencies.

You’re not supposed to pity Perreault, or her son, however convincing the installation may seem. “One Step Removed” at Flux Art Space is more about the dignity of caretaking and being sensitized to others’ frailties without feeling pity.

Perreault, with this current artwork and throughout her career, homes in on what improves quality of life for people facing debilitating conditions, according to Flux Art Space.

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“In light of the day-to-day challenges that come with being human, we can still find ways to transform mediocrity into profound sublimity, simply by shifting our perceptions of what we have,” Perreault said in a statement.

On Saturday, the public is invited to the gallery, managed by director and local artist Betsy Lohrer Hall, to hear Perreault speak about her work, which combines materials from her past in drawing and painting, medical supplies, natural forms, toys and objects of domesticity.

Since 2001, Hall has used the space for her art studio and decided to develop the front portion into a small artist-run gallery which she opened to the public in October 2018. Learn more about Perreault’s work here, and follow Flux Art Space on Instagram @fluxartspace and Facebook here.

The artist’s talk with Perreault takes place Saturday, June 15 at 3 p.m. at Flux Art Space, 410 Termino Ave. For more information, visit the Facebook event here. One Step Removed will be on view through June 29. Hours are Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

Looking for more things to do this weekend? Check “The 7” here.

The 7: Things to do this weekend, including… giant bear heads

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].