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Emma Kohlmann

Glowing In The Dark

October 15 – November 14, 2020

Gallery installation view of multiple Emma Kohlmann paintings and wooden benches
Gallery installation view of multiple Emma Kohlmann paintings and wooden benches
Gallery installation view of multiple Emma Kohlmann paintings and wooden benches
Gallery installation view of multiple Emma Kohlmann paintings and wooden benches
Acrylic painting of three huddled persons in engraved wooden frame

Teaparty During the Apocalypse, 2020

Acrylic on linen, custom cherry wood burned frame

9.5 x 11.5 inches

Close up of butterfly, bird, and person

An Imitation of a Goya etching the non nightmare version, 2020
Acrylic on linen, custom cherry wood burned frame
19.5 x 15.5 inches

Acrylic piece showing spiderweb with images of people

An Awkward spider web, ancestral histories are collapsing, 2020
Acrylic on linen, custom cherry wood burned frame
15.5 x 13.5 inches

Acrylic piece showing an array of people and animals

A Fallen Collection, 2020
Acrylic on linen, custom cherry wood burned frame
21.5 x 17.5 inches

Acrylic piece showing red person forming circle around groups of people, animals

When I Found My People, 2020
Acrylic on raw canvas
60 x 60 inches

Acrylic piece displaying centered faces among larger swirls

4 Portals, 2020
Acrylic on linen, custom walnut wood burned frame
50 x 50 inches

Acrylic painting showing spiraling green vine

Am I Spiraling April 2020?, 2020
Acrylic on linen, custom walnut wood burned frame
50 x 50 inches

Blue people forming the leaves of a plant

Periwinkle Dancing Leaves, 2020
Acrylic on linen, custom walnut wood burned frame
50 x 50 inches

Watercolor and ink featuring plants and people

Dancer Mirror Flowers, 2020
Watercolor and Sumi ink on paper
22 x 30 inches

Watercolor and ink piece showing person with others standing on their shoulders

Too Many People Inside Me, 2020
Watercolor and sumi ink on paper
22 x 30 inches

Watercolor and ink showing large blue body

I Catch Myself, I Repeat, 2020
Watercolor and sumi ink on paper
22 x 30 inches

Watercolor drawing of six individuals holding hands in a circle

Circle Dance, 2020
Watercolor and sumi ink on paper
22 x 30 inches

Hung ceramic showing couple in bed next to sleeping dog

Bedtime, 2019
Ceramic, glaze, string
13 x 14 inches
 

Engraved phallic shaped ceramic

Shadow of A Dick, 2020
Ceramic
3 x 10.5 inches

Hung ceramic piece resembling aqueduct

Celadon Aqueduct, 2020
Ceramic, glaze, string
17 x 10.5 inches

 

 

Engraved ceramic pieces showing bodies, faces, and insects

Savers (Brown Clay), 2020
Ceramic
21 x 14 inches

Jack Hanley Gallery is excited to present ​Glowing In The Dark, ​Emma Kohlmann’s second solo exhibition at the gallery. In a range of media the works in the show encompass watercolors on paper, paintings with individually etched frames, ceramics, and a composition of nature sounds in collaboration with sound artist and friend, Sean Duram. Uniquely shaped and etched benches invite visitors to linger in an oasis that offers a place of tranquillity in times of collective unease.

 

Like an enchanted forest, both ancient and futuristic, Kohlmann’s installation creates an immersive environment with a symbolism drawn from flora, fauna, ancient statues, mythologies or figurines. Human-like plants, leaves, fabulous figures and butterflies inhabit a world that channels Kohlmann’s unfiltered stream of consciousness. Poetic and humorous, tender and bold, the characters seem to live in a universe that is formed right in between the space of Kohlmann’s mind and hand - an immediacy and intimacy that is palpable throughout her work.

 

The absence of traditional compositions or naturalistic proportions in the work takes away any sense of hierarchical order. Instead, plants, animals and humans morph into interchangable entities and coexist peacefully. This sentiment of equality is not only noticeable within the imagery but in the variety of techniques. Each medium, each piece, is treated with equal care and becomes part of an
all-embracing Gesamtkunstwerk.

 

Emma Kohlmann (b. 1989 in the Bronx, NY) lives and works in Florence, MA. She received her B.A. from Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including solo exhibitions at Jack Hanley Gallery, The Austin University, TX, Nationale, Portland, OR, and Kit Gallery, Tokyo. Selected group exhibitions include the Portland Museum of Art, Portland, OR, MOCA Tucson, AZ, Stems, Brussels and , New York, NY. Kohlmann publishes her own artist’s books, zines and made various record covers for music labels.

 

For more information please contact Silke Lindner-Sutti at silke@jackhanley.com