| Ken Kenan (b. 1960, New Orleans)
“A sketch of Ken Kenan’s life should call attention to his birthplace, New Orleans, a city rich in history, diverse cultures and, significantly, the birthplace of jazz. Kenan’s early training in music continues to the present with his current study of electric bass and his performance of jazz and rock music. In fact, the title of the ink and watercolor series he began in 2000, “Improvisations,” makes clear that both the work methods and the visual results have intended parallels in music. Kenan’s art has been called intuitive, improvisational, whimsical, lyrical and rhythmic. Closer study reveals various degrees of formal order and overall harmony that utilize line, color and shape in ways that are immediately accessible and satisfying to viewers. Kenan’s use of symbols—alphabetical letters, asterisks, etc.—is sometimes unique, at other times recurring. The effect is intriguing and elusive.”
- R. W. Holibaugh -
In 1983, Ken Kenan graduated with honors and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University. In addition to his university education, Kenan traveled to Europe where he executed drawings and paintings under the guidance of his mentor and friend, Max Papart. He also studied various printmaking techniques, executing lithographs at Atelier Grapholith in Paris, and with Pierre Chave in Vence, France. He also created etchings with Robert Dutrou, master printer for important artists including Joan Miró.
With influences ranging from primitive and pre-Colombian art, to such modern masters as Calder, Picasso, Klee, Tobey, Matisse, Tamayo, and Miró, Kenan's work embodies an aura of mystery and lyricism within simple aesthetic constructs.
Kenan has exhibited throughout the U.S. and Europe and his works are collected worldwide.
Recent and Upcoming Events:
2009
Galleria D'Arte, Solo Exhibition, Ridgefield, CT, (opens May 1)
2008
Rohm Gallery, "The Best!" Group Exhibition, New Orleans, LA Rohm Gallery, Magazine Arts District Exhibition in conjunction with Prospect.1, New Orleans, LA Terrence Sanders Gallery, Solo Exhibition, New Orleans, LA
2007
Enchanted Garden Conservatory of the Arts, Solo Exhibition, Ridgefield, CT
Art to the Avenue ‘07, Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT
"Draw On: A Week of Drawing in the Community," Drawing Workshop entitled "Musical Dialog," through the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT
2006
"The Environmental Show," Juried Exhibition, Awarded Second Place, The Putnam Arts Council, Mahopac, NY
"¡PRINT!," Group exhibition, Gallery in the Park at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River, NY
Westport Arts Center, Members Show 2006, Westport, CT
The University of Connecticut at Stamford, "Reflections of Summer," Group exhibition, Stamford, CT
"Pure Color, The Art of Silkscreen Collaboration with Gary Lichtenstein," Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
van der Plas Gallery, "BESTiary," Group exhibition, New York, NY
"Crossing Boundaries", Juried Exhibition, Best in Show, The Putnam Arts Council, Mahopac, NY
Art to the Avenue ‘06, Greenwich Arts Council, exhibition at Prudential Connecticut Realty, Greenwich, CT
2005
The Studio, Armonk, NY, "Winter Solstice IV: Standards & Shifts in Contemporary Art", Group exhibition at The Grand Banking Room at the Arts Exchange, White Plains, NY
Ridgefield Guild of Artists, "The Festive Home"
New York International Art Festival (NYIAF), Opening Night exhibition at New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF), New York, NY
Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, A PARTY for Pets' Sake to benefit ROAR (Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue), Ridgefield, CT
van der Plas Gallery, "Group Du Jour," Group exhibition, New York, NY
Curator for "Excursions," An exhibition of works by Herm Freeman, Thomas Hamann, Kim Hanna and Phil Demise Smith, Western CT State University, Danbury, CT
Westport Arts Center, "Eye for the Abstract", Group Exhibition, Westport, CT
Westchester Art Workshop, "Small Works in Conversation", Juried Exhibition, White Plains, NY, Juror: Livia Straus, Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art
Western CT State University, Solo Exhibition, Danbury, CT
2004
Fattahi Fine Arts, Solo Exhibition, Stamford, CT
Member:
Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT
Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, Peekskill, NY
Putnam Arts Council, Mahopac, NY
Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
The Studio, An Alternative Space for Contemporary Art, Armonk, NY
Westport Arts Center, Westport CT
University of Connecticut, Art Selection Committee, Stamford, CT
Online references:
The Saatchi Gallery, Your Gallery, www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery
AskART, The American Artists Bluebook, www.askart.com
Hometown Art Gallery, West Hartford, CT, www.hometownartgallery.com
The Irving Sandler Artists File Online Database, Artists Space, New York, NY, www.artistsspace.org
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