Contemporary Iconography - Foreword - Artist's Statement - Selected Biography - Selected Exhibitions - Awards - Catalog of Works - Contemporary Iconography

Sep 28, 2026

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Contemporary Iconography presents an exhibition at the Rex W. Wignall Museum/Gallery (Chaffey Community College) spanning November 16, 1987 to January 15, 1988. The foreword highlights Southern California’s emerging talent and frames the show through key artists’ practices, including Karen Kitchel’s acrylic works that operate as remembered, selectively blended landscapes. Kitchel’s statement emphasizes emotion, memory, and myth-making over direct representation, alongside a selected biography, exhibitions list, awards, and a catalog of featured paintings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time31 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Artist's Statement

Selected Biography

Selected Exhibitions

Awards

Catalog of Works

Deborah F. Lawrence

# CONTEMPORARY ICONOGRAPHY # CONTEMPORARY ICONOGRAPHY November 16,1987-January 15,1988 Rex W.Wignall Museum/GalleryChaffey Community College5885 Haven AvenueRancho Cucamonga,California 91701 ## Foreword Southern California is fertile withyoung artists with extraordinary gifts.I believe "Contemporary Iconography"represents three of the best.KarenKitchel,Deborah F.Lawrence,andDuncan Simcoe may well be among themost promising painters working in theUnited States today.It is with pridethat the Rex W.Wignall Museum/Gallery presents this exhibition to theChaffey College community. Virginia M.Eaton, Museum/Gallery AdministratorRex W.Wignall Museum/Gallery Karen Kitchel The paintings of Karen Kitchelpossess an astounding presence.Theycommand one's attention not because oftheir vivid color for they are unasham-edly revealing self-portraits of theartist herself.The bold,emotionalglimpses of the creator call up memo-ries in even the most casual viewer..vague reminiscences that may havebeen dormant in the consciencenessuntil stirred by an encounter withthese apparently simple paintings.Karen's gift for self revelation breaksdown the traditional barrier betweenviewer and painting which equals aunique emotional dialogue. Karen's skill as a painter is obvious.Her mastery of the technical aspects ofpainting together with her courage tobe totally honest and direct with herviewers has equaled a mature body ofwork that promises great works in thefuture.She possesses a rare under-standing of visual communication andself. Virginia M.Eaton, Museum/Gallery AdministratorRex W.Wignall Museum/Gallery ## Artist's Statement These acrylic on masonite and woodpanels depict images remembered frommy native midwest.They are vehiclesfor vivid emotion,judgment andpersonal myth.Intensely hued andvery sharp,they have a surrealistic feelthat reveal their source in memory andimagination as opposed to actualappearances. In my search for clarity and control,Iam trying to take apart and under-stand the myths and constructs of myindivdual and regional heritage.Yet Iprotect and enshrine them at the sametime by working from an emotional,prejudiced memory.Like all renditionsof the truth,the landscapes you seehere are a selective mixture of accuracyand glamourized fiction. KAREN KITCHEL"South Lawn"1987acrylic/masonite58”x 48”Photo:Gary Keene ## Selected Biography EDUCATION M.F.A,Claremont Graduate School,Claremont,CA1982. B.A.,Kalamazoo College,Kalamazoo,MI 1979. ## SELECTED EXHIBITIONS1987 "Newcomers 1987"L.A.MunicipalGallery,Barnsdall Park,Los Angeles,CA. "Gallery Artists Summer GroupShow"Ivey Gallery,Los Angeles,CA."L.A.'s Magical Realists"SonrisaGallery,Los Angeles,CA "3-Person Show"Sonrisa Gallery,LosAngeles,CA.1986 "Los Angeles Artists"James DoolittleTheatre,Hollywood,CA. "Women's History Month Exhibit"LosAngeles City Hall,Los Angeles,CA. "The Home Show"U.S.C.Atelier, Santa Monica,CA. 1985 "Dynamics of Spring"Los AngelesCounty Museum of Art,Rental Gallery,Los Angeles,CA. "Through Darkness to Light"TheWoman's Building,Los Angeles,CA.1984 "Professors'Choice"Lang Gallery,Scripps College,Claremont,CA. "The Finals in Painting and Sculp-ture"Jan Baum Gallery,Los Angeles,CA. "New Art"Animal Act Gallery,SantaFe,NM. ## AWARDS California Arts Council,Artist inResidence Grant,1987-88 ## Catalog of Works "Big Tree Self Portrait"1987acrylic/masonite58"x96" "Tornado Watch"1987acrylic/masonite48"x58" "Power House"1987acrylic/masonite58"x 48" "South Lawn"1987acrylic/masonite58"x 48"Courtesy of Peggy and Burke Byrnes. "Painting of October"1987acrylic/masonite48"x58" "Dead Garden"1987acrylic/wood48"x 38" "Tree Farm/Dawn"1987acrylic/wood48"x86" "Tree Farm/Shadows"1987acrylic/wood48"x86" "Icon"1986-7 acrylic/wood 38"x 48" "World View"1987acrylic/masonite42"x96" ## Deborah F.Lawrence Deborah F.Lawrence is a majorartist whose work is destined to sur-vive the post-modern period.Herartworks succes

FAQs

What is the timeframe and venue for the exhibition?

The exhibition runs from November 16, 1987 to January 15, 1988 at the Rex W. Wignall Museum/Gallery, Chaffey Community College.

How does Karen Kitchel describe the source and purpose of her paintings?

Her works depict images remembered from her native Midwest, serving as vehicles for vivid emotion, judgment, and personal myth, shaped by memory and imagination rather than direct appearances.

What information is included about Karen Kitchel in the document?

The document includes a foreword, Kitchel’s artist statement, a selected biography with education and selected exhibitions, awards, and a catalog listing specific works.

Sep 28, 2026

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