Inaugural Newsletter 2021 |
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For nearly twenty years I have used knitting as a metaphor to create complex forms to discuss complex issues. My work transforms knitting, a traditional woman’s craft, into a metaphor that speaks about the interwoven, multi-colored reality of individuals and communities who are intrinsically dependent on one another.
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Recent Exhibitions, Awards & Press |
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The Undoing video performance records artist Sharon Kagan’s hands while she knits and unravels waxed hemp twine accompanied by audio stories from a diverse community revealing a wrong experienced and the process of forgiving the wrongs committed. The artist recites a Buddhist Metta meditation “may you be happy, may you be well, may you be safe, may you be peaceful and at ease” in an effort to help the audience learn how to forgive and release trauma.
Word is a program of American Jewish University’s Institute for Jewish Creativity. Word: Bruce Geller Memorial Prize is made possible by the late Jeanette Geller in memory of her husband Bruce.
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The Politics of Color at Show Gallery (October 2020-March 2021) used the metaphor of color to inspire a dialogue about diversity, inclusion and identity and featured 2 knitted/crocheted sculptures and 15 drawings & paintings of knitting. Highlights included reviews in the LA Weekly by Shana Nys Dambrot for the Angeleno Magazine by Claire Harper.
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College of Southern Idaho |
String Theory at the College of Southern Idaho (September 2020-March 2021) was the most recent stop of a national touring exhibition that included knitted sculpture, drawings, and paintings. This work expanded feminist theory and created an intersectional conversation surrounding environmental justice.
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LA Weekly: Meet an Artist Monday (November 16, 2020) was featured by Shana Nys Dambrot, Meet An Artist Monday, “Kagan’s desire is to illuminate and give tangible form to the underlying, fractal patterns inside the fabric of matter and energy, the forces that connect the visible and invisible totality of the universe.”
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Special Projects: Teaching |
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Teaching has always been a part of my practice. It’s how I’ve created community and brought people together to share the deepest parts of themselves. Last year I created a series of online classes called How to be an Audacious Woman. I am proud to have offered the first class to a group of women through The Foundation for Living Beauty in May, a non-profit organization for women who are living with cancer.
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I'm in a top-secret phase in the studio. There are lots of exciting new projects cooking away. I'm experimenting with new sculptural work and new materials. I've also been busy applying for grants and fellowships. Stay tuned for work that is unexpected... |
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Selected Exhibitions & Special Projects 2018-2021 |
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2020-2021
Exhibitions
Special Projects
Kipaipai Fellow, artist professional development program founded by Andi Campognone
Publications
5 New Exhibitions to Check Out, Angeleno Magazine, by Claire Harper
2019
Exhibitions
String Theory (solo exhibition), Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, Gadsden, AL
String Theory (solo exhibition), Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2018
Exhibitions
Ping Pong 2018 Miami, exhibit in conjunction with Art Basel: Miami, Miami, FL
String Theory (solo exhibition), Charles MacNider Art Museum, Mason City, IA
Ping Pong 2018 Basel, exhibit in conjunction with Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland
String Theory (solo exhibition), Northern Gallery, Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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Dear Friends and Supporters,
I have so much news to share that I felt it was time to start a quarterly newsletter. As you scroll through you will learn about my most recent exhibitions, special events, classes, work in progress and all the amazing exhibitions from the last few years.
I hope you are well and thriving in this unusual time.
Best,
Sharon
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