Bill Kohn at Bruno David Gallery

In the WOP Space, the gallery presents a series of works on paper titled Grand Center Series by the late Bill Kohn. In his final body of work, which began in 2002 and continued until his death in November 2004, Kohn returned his focus to St. Louis, painting the landscape of historic and modern buildings around Grand Boulevard in the Grand Center arts district of St. Louis. Kohn created these pieces while working on several large-scale paintings for the 2006 exhibition Centering on the Grand at the CAM (Contemporary Art Museum Saint Louis). Kohn stated in 2004 that, “Grand Center as a landscape embodies forces of creativity, decay, restoration, preservation, learning and innovation, interacting over time in the heart of a metropolitan region, whose rich character is often overlooked by its own residents,” which demonstrates his interest in bringing to light the culture and history of the city through his work.

Bill Kohn traveled the world, sharing his vision of many significant places through paintings that were celebrated for their vibrant color and dizzying perspectives. Machu Picchu in Peru, the Duomo in Florence, the bridges of Paris, the Grand Canyon, Khajuraho, and Jaiselmer in India were his favorite sites. Bill Kohn (1931-2004) was born and worked in Saint Louis, Missouri. Kohn exhibited at the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, Casa de la Cultura in Oaxaca, Mexico, Contemporary Art Museum Saint Louis (CAM), Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts in Racine, WI, Saint Louis Art Museum in St. Louis, Indianapolis Museum of Art in Indianapolis, IN, Casa de Cultura in Guadalajara, Mexico, Krannert Museum in Champaign, IL, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO, San Francisco Museum in San Francisco, Los Angeles Museum in Los Angeles, and Oakland Museum in Oakland, CA.

Also showing at Bruno David Gallery:
Charles Schwall : Main Gallery
Mario Trejo : Front Room
Brett Williams: Media Room
View exhibitions online (here)

Read article from Dickson Beall in the West End Word (here)
Read article from Laura Barone in the Arched Art Now (here)
View video by Dickson Beal in The Saint Louisan (here)