Arizona-born Native American artist Brad Kahlhamer has been making a big name for himself in the art world over the last decade with solos in prestigious galleries in high-status art towns like London, Milan and New York.
But before that, he had built a quirky resume that began when he was a touring road musician in the Midwest playing country & western and rock in bars and clubs, and continued with his ten-year stint as the art director for Topps Chewing Gum Company.
Kahlhamer’s paintings and works on paper have a neo-expressionist character with lots of scribbled lines laying out a dense assortment of figures and animals, as in “Giant Apache Bride” (pictured). His wild palette involves an assortment of reds, yellows and blues.
This week, Kahlhamer is in town to oversee the installation of his show in the Promenade Space on the second floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver (1485 Delgany Street, 303-298-7554, www.mcadenver.org) which opens Friday, June 13 with a reception at 6 p.m.
But tonight, Tuesday, June 10, he is a featured guest at the Logan Conversations. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., there will be a preview of the exhibition and cocktails will be served. From 6:30 to 7:30, Kahlhamer will discuss his work with MCA director, Cydney Payton, and Clyfford Still Museum director, Dean Sobel. Admission is $20 for the general public and $10 for MCA members. -- Michael Paglia