Audra Kohout: Transition

Jul 2 - aug 1, 2024

FIRST WEDNESDAY OPENING: July 3 FROM 6 - 9PM

ARTICULATE ARTIST TALK: SUNDAY, July 7, AT 4PM.

NORMAL GALLERY HOURS: TUE - SUN, 12PM - 6PM

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There is whimsy, poetry, innocence, and fantasy within Kohout’s boxes. The assemblages are balanced, wildly creative, and always compelling. Upon first glance, all seems innocent enough - pixies, dolls, animals, fairies, and figurines interact within each of their small theaters, the characters playing out elements of the human psyche. In some of the assemblages though, the milieu appears to be drawn from the Industrial Revolution era. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein comes to mind, as certain of Kohout’s characters seem to be involved with experiments, creating artificial life. Sometimes these figures take on the role of scientist or inventor - other characters are the subjects of failed or unstable results. There are partially mechanized people, incorporating machinery parts into their bodies, figures transmuting into part animal and bird. Wheels, ropes, pulleys, weights, scales, gears, and machinery parts surround the central figures.

Audra Kohout has established a large number of collectors throughout the United States. The artist has been awarded numerous grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts as well as other major foundations. The Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans presented The Ghost of Cornell, where many of Kohout’s box assemblages were exhibited with the works of Joseph Cornell. She was chosen for the Texas National exhibition in Austin and continues to be invited to present her work in exhibitions throughout the country. Kohout lives and works in New Orleans.

This exhibition is presented alongside the latest works from Amy James, H. E. Roe, and Katherine Scherer. All works from these artists are on view, free of charge, during regular gallery hours (12 - 6 p.m., Tue - Sun) from Jul 2 - Aug 1, 2024.