Katharine Kuharic, 2022
Photo by Marianita Peaslee
Over the past three decades, innovative painter Katharine Kuharic (b. 1962) has pioneered a genre of distinctly queer image-making that is both pastoral and pop. Eschewing various gendered historical tropes, Kuharic’s work conjures open-ended narratives, always insisting that things are different from what they seem. Emphasizing an individual aesthetic counter to the virtual realities of technology, Kuharic’s performative, labor intensive process necessitates an equivalent time-based immersion and emotional impact on the viewer. Her consistently multi-layered symbolism, hyper-realistic style, and highly keyed pallet, forms a dizzying yet incisive picture of America. Kuharic was born in South Bend, IN and completed her BFA in Painting & Drawing at Carnegie Mellon University in 1984. She has exhibited in the U.S. and abroad in solo or group exhibitions in Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Stockholm, London, and Amsterdam. Kuharic has been the subject of museum exhibitions at the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO; the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, DE; the South Bend Regional Art Museum, South Bend, IN; the Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis, MO; and the Portsmouth Museum of Art, Portsmouth, NH. She has been represented by P·P·O·W since 1994. Her fifth solo exhibition with the gallery, The Foliated Room, opened in December 2023.
Katharine Kuharic
b. 1962, South Bend, IN
Education
1985
School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
1984
BFA, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Solo Exhibitions
2023
The Foliated Room, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
2019
Katharine Kuharic, Shircliff Gallery, Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN
2015
Gone to Ground, Art Residency Festival, Residency 10, Gyeonggi Creation Center, Ansan, South Korea
Masque of Mercy, Philip Slein Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2012
As American As (project in conjunction with P·P·O·W to fund artist’s SuperPac which resulted in the creation and sale of twenty works of art and attendance at two swearing in ceremonies in Washington, DC)
Working in the Lou, Bruno David Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2011
Pound of Flesh, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
2008
Unsolicited, McCarthy Gallery, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, VT
2007
Winner Takes All, Solway Jones Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Homestyle: A Survey of Works on Paper, South Bend Regional Museum of Art, South Bend, IN
2006
The Low Road, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE
2005
The World Brought Low, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
2004
Throb, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
2000
Glory Garden, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
1997
Show Quality Bitches, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
1994
P·P·O·W, New York, NY
1993
Amy Lipton Gallery, New York, NY
1991
Berland Hall Gallery, New York, NY
1990
Bess Cutler Gallery, New York, NY
1989
Elizabeth McDonald Gallery, New York, NY
Select Group Exhibitions
2024
I’ll be Your Mirror — Reflections of the Contemporary Queer, curated by Patrick Burton, Mighty Real / Queer Detroit, Detroit, MI
2022
Even a Cat Can Look at the Queen, Mrs. Gallery, Maspeth, NY
2016
The Conference of Birds, A New Exhibit, Shirley Fiterman Art Center, New York, NY
Big Art/ Small Scale, Philip Slein Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Tight Ass Drawings, curated by Brett Reichman at CB1 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019
Stonewall 50/50, 1969 Gallery, New York, NY
2011
International Art Conference, Ford Foundation, New York, NY
Cinematic Bodies, Zolla-Lieberman Gallery, Chicago, IL
Paris Dream, Philip Slein Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2010
Sacred and Profane, Portsmouth Museum of Fine Art, Portsmouth, NH
2008
Private (Dis)play, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY, Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, and COCA, St. Louis, MO
Ultra-Concentrated Joy – Ecstatic Drawings by Contemporary Artists curated by Catherine Howe, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY
Out of the Dust: Locust Street Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2007
The Story Goes, McKenzie Fine Art, New York, NY
Homestyle: A Survey of Works on Paper South Bend Regional Museum, South Bend, IN
2006
American Eden, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, New York, NY
Outland, Solway Jones, Los Angeles, CA
100% Centennial, Carnegie Mellon University, Regina-Gouger Miller Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2005
Bruno David Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2004
21, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
Women Only, Eliot Smith Contemporary, St. Louis, MO
Painting Since 1990, The Sheldon, St. Louis, MO
2003
Schmidt’s Picks, Philip Slein Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2002
Social Landscape, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
Bitch School, Longwood Arts Project, P.S. 39, Bronx, NY
2001
Instructors Show, Cooper Union, New York, NY
2000
Wine, Women & Wheels, White Columns, New York, NY
nude + narrative, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
The New Museum of Contemporary Art Benefit Show, New York, NY
1999
Wishful Thinking, James Graham & Sons, New York, NY
Elbowroom, Stockholm, Sweden
Peep Show, Luise Ross Gallery, New York, NY
some WOMEN/PRETTY girls, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
1996
Annual Summer Watercolor Exhibition, P·P·O·W, New York, NY
Anima Munda, James Graham & Sons, New York, NY
1995
Bodies Terrestrial, curated by Christopher Sweet, Zoller Gallery, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
On the Brink 1900-2000: The Turning of Two Centuries, Galerie St. Etienne, New York, NY
1994
The Obscure Object of Desire, exhibition and panel discussion curated and moderated by Dan Cameron, Four Walls, Brooklyn, NY
Fallen Idylls: American Figurative Painting, Art Miami ‘94, Miami, FL. Travelling to Martin County Center for the Arts, Stuart, FL
1993
Cadavre Exquis, The Drawing Center, New York, NY
Littlejohn-Sternau Gallery, New York, NY
Tom Cugliani Gallery, New York, NY
The Anti-Masculine, Kim Light Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1992
Fall, Amy Lipton Gallery, New York, NY
Shapeshifters, Amy Lipton Gallery, New York, NY
1991
FIAR Inc. The Fiar International Prize, Milan, Italy; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; London, England; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA (catalogue)
New Generations, New York, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (catalogue)
Drawing Time, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, NY (catalogue)
Humor, Satire and Irony: Definitions and Discoveries, Krasdale Food Corp., Lehman College Art Gallery, Bronx, NY
Menagerie, General Electric, curated by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
Dumb Animal, White Columns, NY
Althea Viafora, New York, NY
1989
New Generations, New York, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (catalogue)
Drawing Time, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, NY (catalogue)
Humor, Satire and Irony: Definitions and Discoveries, Krasdale Food Corp., Lehman College Art Gallery, Bronx, NY
Menagerie, General Electric, curated by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
Dumb Animal, White Columns, NY
Althea Viafora, New York, NY
1988
Bess Cutler Gallery, New York, NY
Surrealismo, Mendelson Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Vulgar Realism, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
Ten Painters, White Columns, New York, NY
1986
Retroactive, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo, NY (catalogue)
Gallery Show, Exit Art, New York, NY
1984
Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
1983
Prospective Artists, Pittsburgh Plan for Art, Pittsburgh, PA
25 Under 25, Southern Alleghanies Museum of Art, Johnstown, PA
Public Collections
St. Louis Museum of Art, St. Louis, MO
Grants & Awards
2023
The Emily Harvey Foundation Residency, Venice, IT
2019
Innovations in Digital Pedagogy Fellowship, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY
2018
Richard Diebenkorn Teaching Fellowship, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
2005
Rockefeller Fellow, Rockefeller Foundation, Study and Conference Center, Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy
Project Space Grant, Contemporary Museum, Saint Louis, MO
2004
Kenneth and Nancy Kranzberg Foundation, St. Louis, MO
Milton and Sally Avery Fellow, MacDowell Colony, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation
2003
Milton and Sally Avery Fellow, MacDowell Colony, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation
2002
NY Arts Recovery Fund, Grant Awards – NY Foundation for the Arts
College Art Association, Fellowship Grant
1999
Penny McCall Foundation
1991
FIAR International Prize
1990
Art Matters, Incorporated
1988
Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation
1983
Ellis Award, Carnegie Mellon University
Select Bibliography
2011
Russell, Christopher. “Studio Visit- New York,” Interview, Artillary Magazine, Issue Number 5, May/ June.
2007
Gillespie, Evan. “Harsh and Amiable,” review of Homestyle: A Survey of Work on Paper by Katharine Kuharic, South Bend Tribune, April 1, 2007.
Moran, Laura. “Upcoming Art Events-Homestyle Arts Everywhere Magazine,” Spring 2007 (reproduction).
Frackiewicz, Dorota. “Dzikie Wisne Kultura Popularna W Tworczosci Katharine Kuharic,” Wild Cherries. Popular Culture in the Art of Katharine Kuharic, (multiple reproductions), article in Polish from the journal Sztukaifilozofia, Uniwersytet Warszawski Instytut Filozogii.
Bonetti, David. “Technology Takes the Personal Out of Personal Expression,” St. Louis Post – Dispatch, April 22, 2007. (reproduction)
2005
Bonetti, David. “Review of Bruno David Exhibition,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov 8, 2005.
Dischinger, Mark. “Superfantastic Four,” review of Contemporary Art Museum exhibition, Riverfront Times, March 16-22, 2005. pg. 29.
“On the Road: Art Museums,” Kansas City Star, May 26, 2005.
SH Magazine, June 2005.
Bonetti, David. “Review of The World Brought Low,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 3, 2005.
Cox, Joshua. “A Look at New Art,” Playback Magazine, Philip Slein Gallery, St. Louis, MO.
Clark, Robin. “Museum Magazine,” April 3, 2005. St. Louis Art Museum, MO.
Bonetti, David. Lecture at the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
2004
Levin, Kim. “Review of THROB,” The Village Voice, June 9-15, 2004. pg. 85.
“THROB,” full color catalogue, contains essays by David Humphrey and Keith Recker, and an excerpt from the novel Leash (Semiotext/MIT Press 2002) by Jane DeLynn, P·P·O·W.
Bonetti, David. “Review of Women Only at Eliot Smith Contemporary,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 9, 2004.
2003
Bonetti, David. “Slein Gallery Show is Heavy with Allegorical Paintings,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov. 2, 2003. pg. C8 (reproduction).
Bonetti, David. “Schmidt’s Picks: A New Look at Contemporary Art in St. Louis Since 1990,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dec 7, 2003. pg. B10.
Zapf, Rudy. “Kuharic’s Super-Clear Tilt,” Playback, December 2003. pg. 23, 29. (reproductions)
2001
Artsy Magazine, review with images reproduced.
2000
Levin, Kim. “Review Wine, Women and Wheels,” Village Voice, 2000.
1999
Parkette Magazine, Interview with Andrea Rosen.
“L’ Arte conceptuale e un losco affare che ha succeso se umilia la pittura,” Tema Celeste, October-December 1999. pg. 69.
1998
Out, February 1998, pg. 48, (reproduction).
Halle, Howard. Time Out, July 23, 1998. Issue 147.
Cotter, Holland. “Peep Show,” review, New York Times, July 10, 1998.
Faulds, Rod. “Some WOMEN/PRETTY girls,” brochure, The Schmidt Center Gallery, Florida Atlantic University.
Arning, Bill. “Sexuality in Contested Space,” essay in brochure for “Elbowroom,” Tredje Sparet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Van der Heeg, Erik. “Elbowroom,” essay in brochure for “Elbowroom,” Tredje Sparet, Stockholm, Sweden.
“Elbowroom,” review, Afton Bladet, Stockholm, Sweden, July 18, 1998.
“Elbowroom,” review, QX, Stockholm, Sweden, August 1998.
Hellberg, Susanna. “Stockholms Tip Set,” Dag DN, Stockholm, Sweden.
1997
Arning, Bill. Review, Time Out, May 15 - 22, 1997. pg. 46 (reproduction).
1995
Goldberg, Vicki. “1890’s or 1900’s, the Visions Are of an Apocalypse Soon,” The New York Times, May 14, 1995. Section 2.
1994
Sweet, Christopher. “Fallen Idylls: American Figurative Painting,” brochure with color reproduction, published by Art Miami 1994.
1992
Cameron, Dan. FIAR International Prize 1991-93, catalogue essay.
Cotter, Holland. “Nature Fabrilis,” The New York Times, July 3, 1992.
Bomb, Summer 1992. (illustrated).
Faust, Gretchen. Review, Arts Magazine, April 1992.
Levin, Kim and Elaine King. “New Generations, New York,” catalogue essay, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA.
Georgia, Olivia. Catalogue, “Drawing Time,” Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island, NY.
1988
Gilbard, Florence. “Kuharic’s Theft,” Museum Arts Magazine, December 1988.
Sax, George. “Bemused Alienations,” The Buffalo News, October 3, 1988.
1986
Howe, Catherine. “Retroactive,” catalogue essay, Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, Buffalo, NY.
Katharine Kuharic
Coda, 2021
oil on linen
48 x 72 ins.
121.9 x 182.9 cm
Katharine Kuharic
Sentinel, 2021
oil on linen
60 x 40 ins.
152.4 x 101.6 cm
Katharine Kuharic
Cenotaph, 2020
oil on linen
40 x 60 ins.
101.6 x 152.4 cm
Katharine Kuharic
Fairy Lights, 1999
oil on linen
32 x 42 ins.
81.3 x 106.7 cm
Katharine Kuharic
Backwards Flag, 1998
oil on linen
26 x 20 ins.
66 x 50.8 cm
Katharine Kuharic
Unseen, 1994
oil on linen
40 x 30 ins.
101.6 x 76.2 cm
P·P·O·W is pleased to host a conversation between painters Katharine Kuharic and Kurt Kauper in conjunction with Kuharic’s ongoing solo exhibition, The Foliated Room. Moderated by artist TM Davy, the conversation will explore both artists’ distinct approaches to image-making, shared affinity for multilayered symbolism, and interest in cultivating open-ended narratives through figurative painting.
Meticulous in approach, Katharine Kuharic fuses multilayered representational elements and vibrant colors in her socially charged paintings, transforming them into compelling, dream-like narratives about the contemporary condition.
A new show at the Queens gallery Mrs. proves that dogs may be man’s best friends, but cats are humans’ idols.
Here are the works that caught our eye at the newly-returned and much-loved New York fair.
Presented by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) benefitting the Henry Street Settlement, the 2021 edition of The Art Show welcomes over 70 galleries, and will dedicate over half of the fair to solo artist exhibitions. The Art Show incorporates a range of in-person and virtual programming, including access to ADAA galleries and discussions with industry leaders, curators, and artists.
