It's hard to imagine the state of art if artists only reflected cheerful emotions. Would Rodin's Thinker instead be a juggler? Would Goya have forsaken his Black Paintings series for images of unicorns and dolphins? And who can imagine Bruegel the Elder's "A Trip to the Candy Store" rather than "The Triumph of Death"?

Art reflects Life in all its complexities, and that's part of the spirit behind "Discolored Perspectives," a new exhibition opening Saturday in the Underground Gallery of New London's Hygienic Art. A reception takes place 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday in the facility's Art Park.

A release from the Hygienic says the theme of "Discolored Perspectives" is "to show a world without rose-colored glasses; not sunshine and rainbows but something somewhat odd and unsettling, and yet friendly and familiar."

The three self-taught artists featured in the show are Karen Murch ("disturbed assemblage artist"), Aaron Wujcik ("color-blind visual artist"), and Stuart Chandler ("odd faux-folk multi-artist"). The exhibit runs through Sept. 5. 

Safety measures during the coronavirus are in effect: Masks are required in the gallery; there's a maximum of five people per group in the gallery with social distancing in place; and visitors need to observe all one-way traffic instructions.

Hygienic Art is located at 79 Bank St. in New London. Admission is free, and hours are noon-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., and noon-4 p.m. Sun. Call (860) 443-8001 or visit hygienic.org.

— Rick Koster