Diane Kahlo: Myths & Revelations

This exhibition featured the newest body of work from Lexington artist Diane Kahlo on view through August 28, 2005.

It included a series of thirteen of Kahlo's most recent works some of which combine three dimensional, hand-carved elements with traditional, two dimensional acrylic painting. The first three works in this series, all self-portraits, were funded in part by the Kentucky Foundation of Women. From these first three pieces was hatched the idea to create a series of portraits of local women - dancers, writers, actors and visual artists – whom Kahlo thought to be catalysts for change in the world or whose world is changed through their artistic contribution.

Posed in environments using costumes, drapes, and objects which are universal and timeless symbols often associated with female figures in art, literary, mythological and religious history, each subject is dealt with on an individual level that began with one-on-one discussions about personal and universal symbols or attributes unique to each woman. Snakes, lilies, antlers and other symbols specific to each subject, give these works a personal yet universal appeal, in a sense, enabling these women to write their own mythologies through this collaborative effort with Kahlo.