AFRICAN WILDLIFE IS VANISHING

Two photographers document what they saw & how they felt 

March 16th – April 16th, 2023: Kehler Liddell Gallery presents Vanishing-Zimbabwe, an exhibition of photographs by Penrhyn and Rod Cook, with an

Artist Talk 3:00pm and Opening Reception 3:30 – 6:00pm on Sunday, March 26th.

Husband and wife photographers, Penrhyn and Rod Cook - collaborating as PenRod, join their distinct artistic voices for their upcoming exhibition @ KLG. “This is our third trip to Africa,” said Rod Cook of the decision to journey to Zimbabwe. In a preface to an accompanying artist book produced by the couple, the artists explain:

“Our most recent trip to Africa took us to Zimbabwe. It is a country of superlatives thanks to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world, and Lake Kariba, the largest man-made lake in volume. Although 1120 F is far from the hottest temperature on record in Africa (136  F holds that distinction), it was certainly the hottest temperatures either of us had ever experienced.

Like most African countries, Zimbabwe’s wildlife is vanishing as the ravages of climate change replaces poaching as the biggest threat to the animal population. To relieve pressure on the lack of water and food, animals are being relocated in the Zambezi River Valley to rebuild populations.” Our photographs document our walk in the wild.”

Rod Cook worked as a commercial photographer in New York for the first twenty-five years of his career. He has shown extensively in the United States and Europe with one person shows in Aspen, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New Haven, New Orleans, Petaluma, and New York.

Penrhyn E. Cook documents things that other people overlook; the serendipitous moments that make life interesting: the presentation of contradictions, innocence, and humor. Previous collaborations as PenRod have explored imagery from East Africa, Southern France and the Antarctic.

Kehler Liddell Gallery (KLG) is a cooperative gallery owned and operated by member artists. Located in the heart of New Haven’s Westville village, KLG is the city’s longest running retail gallery to date, representing 23 of the area’s most notable emerging and established artists. Monthly exhibitions are highlighted by free community arts programming, presented in partnership with the ArtEcon Initiative. Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 11am-4pm; Saturday–Sunday, 11am-5pm. The gallery is free and open to the public. www.kehlerliddellgallery.com

Mind Fibers & Typologies: Memory and Ingemination

Edith Borax-Morrison & Keith Johnson
 1928—2020 & 1948—2021

April 20-May 21, 2023:

This month, KLG  celebrates the lives and art of two beloved, award-winning members, Edith Borax-Morrison, 1928—2020 and Keith Johnson, 1948—2021.

Both artists’ work exhibits an extraordinary meditative quality, the product of careful observation and rigorous attention to process and presentation. Edith’s intricate meditative drawings, created at all hours of the day and night, immerse the viewer in her trance-like creative state. Keith’s typological photography amplifies the range and complexity of repetitive images and adds his unique voice to this photographic lexicon.

In the artistic dialogue of these good friends, Kehler Liddell Gallery is able to celebrate their many years’ conversation as well as their love for cultural community programming of ArtEcon Initiative. During this limited showcasing, artwork will be sold via silent auction. The public is invited to place bids directly on the specific artwork desired.  

All art acquisitions support the ArtEcon Initiative, see mission statement below, and the Molham Team, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization that is directing resources to areas devastated by the ongoing Syrian civil war and recent earthquakes. This organization is run on the ground in Syria; the home region of the owners of RAWA restaurant in Westville. This exhibition is made possible by the generous contributions of Becky Johnson and the estate of Edith Borax-Morrison. To honor the craft of these two stellar artists, ArtEcon and Kehler Liddell Gallery are pleased to offer the following calendar of events: 

• Sunday 4/23, 3pm-6pm: Opening Reception and Talk, presented by Sarah Fritchey, Independent Curator and Writer who works at the intersections of art, justice, memory and belonging. FREE

• Tuesday 4/25, 6pm-8pm: Meditate, Sip & Draw—Ticketed Adult Program Includes meditation and a meditative drawing session, adult beverages, apps and art supplies $35.00. Led by KLG Artists/Directors. Reserve your tickets on EventBrite here.

• Sunday 4/30, 11am-12 noon: Doodle Like Edith —Family Program, FREE.  Families! Kids! Join us in the gallery to experience the incredible and massive DOODLES by late artist Edith Borax-Morrison! We will riff on her style and play on paper. Art supplies, snacks and gentle instruction will figure beautifully into your Sunday morning at KLG in Westville Bestville!

• Friday 5/12: ArtWalk Self-Guided Doodle Like Edith —Family ArtWalk Program, FREE

• Sunday 5/14:  ArtWalk Self-Guided Doodle Like Edith —Family ArtWalk Program, FREE

• Saturday 5/20:4pm-6pm Closing Cocktail Benefit—Ticketed Event: Includes opera performance by Natalie Kikkenborg, signature cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, and Self-Guided Doodle Like Edith $45.00/adult. Afterwards, all ticket holders will receive a complimentary glass of wine with dinner when they present their ticket to participating Westville Restaurants: RAWA and Manjares. Reserve your tickets on EventBrite here.

Kehler Liddell Gallery (KLG) is a cooperative gallery in the heart of New Haven’s Westville village representing 28 of the area’s most notable emerging and established artists. Established in 2003, KLG is one of New Haven’s longest running retail galleries to date. All of the artists are juried into membership. Monthly exhibitions are highlighted by free community arts programming presented by ArtEcon Initiative, who’s  primary mission is to support, develop, and produce ongoing, accessible community building arts programming for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds in the Westville-West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, CT. ArtEcon Initiative was founded in 2016 by a small group of neighborhood stakeholders as an outgrowth of ArLoW (ArtLoftsWest), New Haven's only affordable artist housing development, located in the Westville neighborhood.