Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Another view of The Money Show: work by painter-sculptor Kenn Kotara at Turner Art Center, Shreveport

West Edge Artists Co-op of Shreveport is opening an exhibit Fri at Artspace in which the question is, "Why starving artist? Why not thriving artists?" It's called The Money Show.

At Turner Art Center, Centenary College, there's answer to the Money Show's plaintive question. It is provided by the work of Louisiana-born artist Kenn Kotara, a Louisiana Tech grad (BA, '90, MFA, '93). Kotara makes a living from his art, says Turner curator Bruce Allen.

Kotara lives in Asheville, NC, but bayou country, especially the Spanish moss, remains a motif in his work.

The number of corporate purchasers of his work is impressive. His web site, including reviews of his work as well as a cogent artists' statement, is clear and sensual.

In this show, called "The Hanging Garden," he has deployed an architectural series of suspended works that are based on cool materials such as fiberglass screening. His work on canvas I find less stimulating than his hangings. But there is a subtle command of the language of art that is unmistakable in his paintings.

"I talked to his wife today," said Allen in regards the business of art
and the capable Kotara. "Someone is interested in purchasing one of the pieces that happen to be hanging here. She wanted to make sure the recently adjusted price was reflected in his material in Shreveport."


Kotara's exhibit is up through Mar 21 at Turner Art Gallery, 3000 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport.
Week days, 10 am - 5 pm; weekends, 2 - 5 pm.

Michelle Lappas Kotara at 828-236-2265 or michelle@kotarastudio.com
Bruce Allen at 318834-0947 or ballen@centenary.edu

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