EXTENDED: "the artist is not present" at Galerie Uhn through Sept. 9

Left to right: Claudia Grom, Man in the Moon; Kelly O'Brien, You're New Around Here, Aren't You?; Chris Kircher, Mädchenkopf; Katja v. Ruville, lunaria

I am delighted to announce that our small group exhibition, the artist is not present, has been extended at Galerie Uhn through September 9th.

A dear friend who lives in Königstein recently send me a snapshot looking through the gallery window at my piece, Village Committee. She and her daughter were passing by. They didn't realize that Galerie Uhn had relocated to its new location, and the painting caught her daughter's eye, causing her to retrace their steps to take a closer look. What I love best is that they're reflected in the image too.

Florentine and Louisette Winkel at Galerie Uhn. Image credit: Louisette Winkel

Galerie Uhn's owner, Jimin Leyrer, recently had this to say about our show:

"The response to this exhibition has been very strong. Each artist's work has garnered specific and thoughtful praise. Together, it makes a particularly strong show. I am so proud of each of them and hope that we get a lot of visitors in the remaining time that the exhibition is open."

Galerie Uhn opening hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 - 17:00, Saturday 10:00 - 13:00 and by appointment | Hauptstraße 34, 61462 Königstein | Tel: 06174-221750

This Sunday at Bath Artisan Market: Hard Tryers and more!

Beginning this Sunday, I am pleased to be part of the Bath Artisan Market, a curated monthly event featuring Bath's talented artist makers, gourmet food booths and local live music.

For this first market, I'm bringing small, original Hard Tryer work and Postcards. The latter are high-quality reproductions of my original mixed media prints, in the form of lovely Moo.com blank greeting cards and postcards. The original prints are happily sold out, save for a couple that are still in Germany on exhibition at grassgrün in Frankfurt.

The market is held under cover at Green Park Station, a glass-roofed former train station in downtown Bath. I'll be there most months 10am to 4pm on the second Sunday, so please come visit!

Details and directions:

Bath Artisan Market | Sunday, August 9, 10am to 4pm | Green Park Station (map) | Bath, BA1 1JB

The Artists Were Present at Galerie Uhn

The artists were all present at Friday's Galerie Uhn Vernissage for the artist is not present, along with a fine gathering of friends, collectors, and Königstein locals.

The exhibition features an installation of Lichtobjekte by Katja v. Ruville, scrapmetal sculpture by Chris Kircher, videos and an installation by Claudia Grom, and overpainted photographs by Kelly O'Brien.

Presence took some effort. Kelly drove from her home near Bath, England to deliver new work and help install the exhibition during the week. Claudia navigated a six-hour time zone difference from her current location in Bali, not only to direct the installation of her work, but to participate by Skype in the Vernissage.

Many thanks to everyone who came out to the Taunus for the event! We are especially grateful to Frau Jimin Leyrer of Galerie Uhn for mounting our exhibition and hosting the event. Special thanks to Pat Roth for the photographs.

Our work is available at the gallery until August 28th. Opening hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 - 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 - 13:00. Galerie Uhn is closed for summer holiday July 31 - August 15.

We invite your presence! Please stop in, bring a friend, and enjoy a cup of green tea while you browse.

Next up for the Joint Portfolio Project: NIH

Next up for the Joint Portfolio Project: The National Institutes of Health Gallery in Bethesda, Maryland. The exhibition opened last Saturday and runs through September 11. We are also preparing for our next stop at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island.

The project's founder, Carol Strause FitzSimonds, recently interviewed me. She is preparing for a discussion panel on the project, to be hosted by the museum as part of the Opening events.

CSF: Why did you do this portfolio project?

KO: My situation is a bit different in that I am a former Printmakers, Inc. member who lives overseas. It felt great to be invited and I saw the project as a way to continue my relationship with the studio. When I was a member, we did something similar for the group's 35th anniversary and it was very rewarding.

CSF: What did you personally get out of the experience?

KO: Continued connection to a group of artists that I like and respect. An introduction to the talented printmakers of the Providence Art Club. Exposure for my work in ways I could not have garnered on my own. The satisfaction of being part of something beautiful and professionally done.

CSF: How much of your time was required to meet this committee? Biggest challenge?

KO: Developing and producing the print edition took about a month. I've also helped out with marketing by managing the project's Facebook page, which has been fun. The biggest challenge has been being so far away! I wish I could be at all of the exhibitions and meet other artists who are part of the collaboration.

Exhibition: "the artist is not present" at Galerie Uhn

Claudia Grom, 2015, The Man in the Moon, Video

I am pleased to announce our second exhibition as a group with my German colleagues Chris Kircher, Claudia Grom and Katja v. Ruville. The artist is not present opens this Friday, July 10 at Galerie Uhn and continues to August 29.

The title plays with the idea that presence does not have to be physical. Two of us are currently not or are no longer living in the Frankfurt area. We have remained committed to a shared vision and professional practice of our work as presented in our first exhibition to be continued. Since then, we have continued to collaborate and support one another virtually through regular Skype meetings, bi-annual retreats and group exhibitions.

Katja v. Ruville, 2015, vergraben | buried, porcelain, black rice, mung beans, rice noodles, pigment,  ∅ 13cm, 18 cm, 22 cm | 21 x 21 cm

Over the past year, we have each had our own personal experience of what “not being present” means, reflected in the work. Whether it is relocating to a different country, traveling the world with a long term art project, retreating into one’s inner world, or working in other fields – each development has stretched, as well as enriched the group's bond.

Chris Kircher, 2014, Mädchenkopf | girls head, scrap metal, welded

Exhibited work includes scrap metal sculpture by Chris Kircher, porcelain and light objects by Katja v. Ruville, an installation combined with live performance art from Asia by Claudia Grom, and some of my New Country work.

Kelly O’Brien, 2015, You’re New Around Here, Aren’t You?, overpainted photograph on canvas

The artists will be present. If you are in the Frankfurt area, I hope to see you there!

the artist is not present
July 10 through August 29, 2015
Opening: July 10, 7:00 pm
Galerie Uhn
Hauptstrasse 34
61462 Königstein

Exhibition: Joint Venture+ at Hoxie Gallery

Next stop for the Joint Portfolio Project, Hoxie Gallery in Westerly, RI.

Thanks to the Westerly Sun for a nice article about the exhibition!

Details above.

discovering British artists: Rena Gardiner

One of the things I love about living in another country is exposure to art and artists that I might not otherwise find. My current British Artist Crush (BAC) is Rena Gardiner, an artist and printmaker who lived and worked in Dorset (1929 - 1999).

Her work captures some of the things that really appeal to me: inspired, whimsical landscapes; delicate line; color combinations that are unexpected and lush; translucency and layers. Love!

Just as remarkable is that she was apparently a one-woman DIY publisher of her 45+ books, which she illustrated, printed, bound, and distributed on her own. Makes modern day, crowdsource-funded self-published books look easy by comparison!

A new book about this unsung heroine is now out, available through Little Toller Books.

Exhibition: Joint Venture+ at Candita Clayton Gallery

The little portfolio that could is still going! Our next stop for the traveling exhibition of framed prints from the collection is Candita Clayton Gallery in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Most, if not all, of the boxed portfolio sets have been sold. Thirty-one individual framed prints are still available (one from each artist), and some artists are showing additional work as well.

new landscapes

We're getting settled into our new home, here in the English countryside. The tiny village of Stanton Prior has welcomed us warmly, and the local winter hasn't been one to complain about (sorry, East Coast friends!).

Astro enjoying daffodils in February!

The scenery consists mostly of rolling fields, hedgerows, Constable skies and farm animals. There are two working farms in our village, and my studio views include cows, sheep, ducks and chickens. It's captivating, entertaining and uncomfortable.

View from the new studio

Who knew that moving to an English-speaking country could feel so foreign? Three months in, I'm at that awkward stage between meeting new people and forming meaningful relationships. Culture shock is a fact of life, even when you speak the language. Building friendships, not to mention a local network for my work, will take time.

Local traffic jam

This will pass, I know - it was like this when we moved to Germany. And as uncomfortable as this phase is, it's also an opportunity. Soaking up my immediate surroundings with fresh eyes will only last for so long before things look and feel more familiar.

I'm trying to capture the moment in some of my recent work. A few new studies, New Country, reflect what's going on, in more ways than one.

Group exhibition and winter market

If you're looking to do a little holiday shopping this weekend, why not buy some art? This Friday through Sunday, you can take in a group exhibition of fine art and craft makers, while sipping wine from Philipp's Fine Wine, all in the gorgeous setting of a newly restored flourmill on the Kinzig River in Erlensee.

Three of my Postcards from the Taunus are in the exhibition. I'll be in town for the Opening of She is Herself, so it's nice timing! I plan to stop by this event on Sunday for a few hours before returning to England. Hope to see you there!

FLOUR MILL WINTER MARKET
An der Wasserburg 22 | 63456 Erlensee

Friday, 21 November: 16.00-21.00
Saturday, 22 November: 13.00-20.00
Sunday, 23 November: 13.00-18.00

exhibition: "to be continued | Fortsetzung folgt"

One of the best things about our time living in Germany has been the friends I've made who also happen to be artists. It's with great pleasure that I invite you to join me and three such friends to our first (and we hope, of many) small group exhibition, to be continued | Fortsetzung folgt.

The exhibition at grassgrün opens on Friday, October 24 at 19:00, and runs through Sunday, October 26. We are also taking appointments outside of the gallery hours below - if you can't make it over the weekend, just contact me and let's see what we can work out.

If you can stop by for a visit, I'd love to share the work with you personally. It will also be a chance to say our goodbyes...Ian has already relocated to our new home in England, and movers arrive shortly after this event to move our household, Astro, and me to join him.

Exhibition details and opening hours, below. I hope to see you on the 24th or sometime during the weekend!

Exhibition details:

to be continued | Fortsetzung folgt   October 24 – 26, 2014 | Vernissage: Friday, 24 October at 19:00 | grassgrün, Vogelsbergstrasse 38, 60316 Frankfurt am Main | Tel: 0179/4 57 93 96 | Opening hours: 12:00 to 20:00 Uhr und nach Vereinbarung

studio update: late summer 2014

Kelly O'Brien, Home is Where You Are (detail). Acrylic on paper on canvas. 2014

Here in chilly gray Frankfurt, change is in the air already. Where did summer go? This is our fourth one in Germany, and I'm still not used to August days in the 60s and nights that dip into the 40s.

Which means I've been in the studio, making new work! My current focus is on acrylic painting, with some mixed media sculpture to keep things interesting. It feels like acrylics are opening up a whole new level of freedom. I've only scratched the surface and am eager to see where this goes.

Kelly O'Brien, You Can't Run From Yourself. Acrylic on paper on canvas. 2014

If you're in the Frankfurt area this autumn, you can see the new work in two upcoming exhibitions in October and November. Stateside, I am delighted to have mixed media prints included in The Joint Portfolio Project, with exhibitions at the Providence Art Club and Torpedo Factory in September and November. More on each of these as dates draw nearer.

Kelly O'Brien, Inside Job. Acrylic on paper on canvas. 2014

Speaking of change, the theme I'm exploring is Geographic Cure. My husband and I are moving to England this fall, so the topic has been on my mind. As much as I love living in Germany and will miss the friends I've made here, I look forward to what lies ahead. I'm learning that with a little conscious effort, you can stay connected and involved, wherever you live.

Upcoming exhibitions:

September 7 - October 3, 2014: The Joint Portfolio Project Exhibition, Moitié Gallery, Providence Art Club, Providence, RI

October 24 - 26, 2014: To Be Continued | Fortsetzung folgt, grassgrün, Frankfurt, Germany

November 1 - December 31, 2014: The Joint Portfolio Project Exhibition, Printmakers Inc, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA

November 2014 - January 2015: She is Herself, Frauenartztpraxis Dr. Med. Seelig, Bad Soden, Germany

whistler: an american in london at the freer gallery

James McNeill Whistler, Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights, 1872; oil on canvas

One of the many things I love about my hometown of Washington, DC is the abundant free access to great art. On a recent trip to the US, my husband and I squeezed in one last exhibition at our favorite Smithsonian gallery, the Freer | Sackler, before heading to the airport.

I didn't expect to be so mesmerized by the work - I mean, it's Whistler, so I knew it would be special - but I didn't anticipate what we saw among the etchings, watercolors and oil paintings in the exhibition.

Whistler, Nocturne Blue and Gold Southampton Water, 1872; oil on canvas

His oil Nocturnes are gorgeous. Scenes along the rainy, dreary, industrial 19th century Thames are transformed into abstract, minimalist, glowing color, highly influenced by Japanese woodcut prints. Fittingly, paintings and woodcuts by Kobayashi Kiyochika are juxtaposed in a separate exhibition on the same floor.

Detail, Sumida River by Night, Kobayashi Kiyochika; Japan, 1881; Woodblock print

Whistler's relationship to the Freer | Sackler was another surprise. Charles Freer met Whistler in 1890 when, on his first trip to London, he visited the artist's Chelsea studio. A long and fruitful friendship ensued, and with Whistler's encouragement and cooperation, Freer built the largest collection of his works in the world. Not bad to have a patron build a museum for your work!

Whistler, Nocturne: Blue and Gold – Old Battersea Bridge, 1875; oil on canvas

An American in London held special significance for my husband and me, as we prepare for a relocation to London this fall. With beauty like this to look forward to, it seems like a good move.

kara walker at the domino sugar factory

Kara Walker, A Subtlety (image: Jason Wyche, Courtesy Creative Time, 2014)

Like bees to honey, people have been swarming to Kara Walker's jaw-dropping sugar sculpture, A Subtlety, at the Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn since May. My adventuresome mother and I buzzed up the Garden State Parkway from the Jersey Shore to NYC to check it out on my recent visit to the US.

After a two-hour drive and one-hour wait, our efforts were worth it. Words and images don't do the installation justice. The work encompasses a 35' H x 75' L sugared sphinx, with the head of a kerchief-wearing mammy and body of an overly sexualized black woman. She is preceded by 15 five-foot molasses boys carrying baskets of unrefined sugar.

A molasses-coated boy attending Kara Walker's sugar sphinx (image: Hrag Vartanian for Hyperallergic)

As we walked around the installation, I couldn't stop admiring the audacity of the work. In one fell swoop, Walker unflinchingly addresses racism, sexism, slavery, capitalism, hypocrisy, power, oppression, addiction, and more. She discusses the project here, in an excellent video by PBS' art21:

Much has been written about the project, as well as the politics and controversy behind it. People have been taking (sadly) inappropriate selfies in front of body parts, and there's fuss about how the actual sugar for the project was sourced.

But it's because of Walker's installation that people are talking about these things. The conversations that Mom and I had and overheard while waiting in line, inside the warehouse, and well after we left have been testament to the power of art to awaken and move each of us, if we allow ourselves to engage thoughtfully in something that makes us uncomfortable.

For more Kara Walker, including selected works, articles and related artists, check out her dedicated Artsy.net page here.

louise bourgeois exhibition at SNGMA

In the final decade of her long life, Louise Bourgeois was profoundly productive and powerful in her work as an artist. Here was a woman who boldly used her personal experiences, traumas and history to expose universal human truths.

The exhibition is part of the National Galleries of Scotland Artist Rooms collection, major presentations of works by iconic artists such as Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol and now Louise Bourgeois. From the catalog:

"Louise Bourgeois invites us to think again about creativity, relations between the sexes, youth and age, courage and fear, and the meaning and purpose of our lives. Louise Bourgeois is possibly the greatest of those four dominant female figures of the twentieth century, keeping company with Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Agnes Martin. She belongs to the tradition of the true modern geniuses: Emily Dickinson, Gertrude Stein, Virginia Woolf and Susan Sontag."

Two short films do an excellent job sharing the essence of the SNGMA exhibition, plus a concurrent exhibition of Bourgeois' drawings at The Fruit Market. The SNGMA video is an interview with Jerry Gorovoy, her long-time studio assistant and caregiver later on. The BBC's Secret Knowledge features a tour of the exhibitions with Tracey Emin, with whom she collaborated towards the end of her life.

Bourgeois' work influenced me strongly when I started making art. My work is based on personal narrative, something I questioned then as being too...well, personal. After seeing the documentary The Spider and the Mistress, I stopped questioning myself and haven't looked back.

Once again, Bourgeois is inspiring, at a time when I've questioned if I started "too late." Some of her most important work was made in her late nineties, thanks to apparent good health and support. To Emin's point, we have plenty of time. It's what we do with it that matters. I would also add, it's the relationships we carry with us that matter just as much.

the Joint Portfolio Project

The Joint Portfolio Project

One fun benefit of being a printmaker is that you get to exchange original handmade art with other printmakers. Sometimes, whole groups of printmakers get together to swap prints – a real bonanza! And not only for the artists involved. A small number of complete print sets are sometimes made available to the public (see below).

The Joint Portfolio Project is one such project in which I’m privileged to be involved. A total of 31 artists – 22 artists of the Providence Art Club in Rhode Island and nine artists of the Torpedo Factory Printmakers Inc. in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia – are busy completing 5x7 inch limited edition prints for the collection.

Several exhibitions are scheduled for the project through 2015. A traveling exhibition, Joint Venture+, will showcase the 31 framed portfolio prints, plus additional pieces by each artist.

There will be only 12 print portfolios for sale to the public, some of which have already sold. They are $550, which includes an attractive box to store the 31 signed, hand-pulled prints.

You can find previews of the prints that will be included and more detailed information about exhibitions on The Joint Portfolio Project Facebook Page.

You can reserve a portfolio or purchase one at the pre-publication price of $500 by calling Printmakers Inc. at 703-683-1342 or Providence Art Club at 401-331-1114 ext. 5. Telephone sales are accepted with a credit card.

Quadriennale Düsseldorf

Every four years, Düsseldorf becomes the center of contemporary art in this part of Germany during the Quadriennale Düsseldorf. We caught a small slice of it this week during a short visit to the British Consulate in town for my husband's UK citizenship swearing-in ceremony (yes, I'm now married to a Brit!).

This year's theme is Beyond Tomorrow. What we saw was compelling and provocative: Smart New World at the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf. Part performance art, part installation, the two-story exhibition space was transformed into a sensory commentary on digital technology, privacy, the NSA, and Big Data. I knew we were in for something different when we had to sign a declaration affirming our own inauthenticity before we could even purchase an entrance ticket.

Admission Procedure, International Necronautical Society (INS). Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, 2014.

The Quadriennale Düsseldorf runs through August 10th, featuring a total of thirteen museums, art venues and partner institutions. Catch it if you can!

métiers d'art

Something magic is happening this weekend throughout Europe: The European Days of Artistic Crafts. Every year, the first weekend in April is dedicated to the art of fine crafts in Europe. 

Porcelain, paper, lace, glass, perfume, chocolate, violins...you name it - if it's a material or tradition of fine craft, it's being shared and celebrated this weekend in Europe!

Viaduc des Arts, Paris

I was lucky to be in Paris this past week to get a preview and small taste of what's happening across the continent. My friend and I spent the better part of a day wandering in and out of the ateliers along the Viaduc des Arts, a four-kilometer stretch of working studios. 

Tzuri Gueta, Viaduc des Arts (image: Maison d'Exceptions)

Le Bonheur des Dames, Viaduc des Arts, Paris

Tzuri Gueta creates patented silicon-infused lace that graces the runway designs of Givenchy, Lacroix, and Gaultier; Creanog has revived the dying arts of gold-stamping and embossing in packaging for Chanel; Maison Fey is a master guilder and upholsterer; Le Bonheur des Dames is heaven for all things embroidery; Atelier du Temps Passé restores paintings and objects d'art. The list goes on.

My current obsession is Métiers d'Art de la Mode, a 5-pound tome packed with photographic eye candy that reveals a bit of the process and technique behind the handcrafts of the couture fashion industry. Even if you don't understand French, the images are worth the <2 minutes it takes to watch this interview with the editor, Hélène Farnault:

Etat des lieux des Métiers d’Art de la Mode

cherry blossom time in DC!

Peak Bloom, by Kelly O'Brien for microWave Project. Cherry blossoms made of paper, thread, glue and white mitsumata branches.

Three years ago, I did my first paper sculpture installation for microWave Project at Art Whino's G40 street art Summit. It was the start of something that I had no idea I could do or would find so obsessively fun.

Here we go again, this time like magic since I didn't have to actually do the installation myself. That task was left in the fine hands of Allison Nance and Mary Cook, the dynamic duo behind mWP.

Very happy to have my work on site for what looks to be a wildly creative, unique-to-DC event, happening tomorrow night through April 20. A bunch of fine artists' work will be on hand to enjoy and purchase.  Details below and lots of info here.

Cherry Blossom Inspired art, 3 Bands, 3 DJ's and a night not to be forgotten! The sixth annual Cherry Blast: Art + Music Dance Party is Saturday, March 29 from 7:00pm-midnight at BLIND WHINO: SW Arts Club, a dedicated art space in Southwest Washington, DC (734 1st Street, SW).

Saturday, March 29th, from 7pm - Midnight

Lounge Area Music Schedule
7-9:30pm DJ Native Sun
9:30-Mid  DJ Ayescold

Main Performance Space Music Schedule
 7-8pm    Congo Sanchez (DJ Set)
 8-9pm    Congo Sanchez
 9-10pm  Honest Haloway
10-11pm Congo Sanchez
11-Mid    Nappy Riddem

Location:
BLIND WHINO:Sw Arts Club
734 1st St SW Washington, DC 22024

Tickets:
Tickets are $15 in advance for this 21-and-over event, and $20 at the door.
The event annually sells out every year so get em before its too late!
Tickets on sale now at HERE

Exhibit Hours:
After the reception the art exhibit will on display Sundays 11am-4pm April 6th - April 20th
Show end date: April 20th,  2014

Allison Nance installing Peak Bloom at Cherry Blast 2014