Louise Kames, American, born 1955, I Don't See Anything That's Not Beautiful: Prayers, 2021 toner transfer images on prayer book pages. 54 x 58", Courtesy of the artist, © Louise Kames.
Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
With the event moderated by art therapist Dana Keeton, Figge Art Museum guests are invited, on March 13, to hear from a panel of healthcare professionals, family caretakers, and patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's as they discuss the impact of dementia on those who are directly impacted and their caretakers, the presentation held in conjunction with the Davenport venue's current exhibition Louise Kames: I Don't See Anything That's Not Beautiful.
In Kammes' exhibition, patrons are witness to her tree's withering state a direct result of the continuous droughts caused by climate change. These works complement her earlier installation work I Don't See Anything That's Not Beautiful, a series in which Kames traces the experiences of a woman grappling with dementia by documenting the subtle rituals she used to calm her mind and find comfort. Both series explore mortality and the inevitability of decline and decay, whether brought on by manmade changes to the environment, or by an incurable disease.
Louise Kames holds an MFA degree in drawing and printmaking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a MA degree in Art History from the University of Illinois, and a BA degree in studio art and art history from Clarke University in Dubuque. She is a professor of art at Clarke University where she is the Director of the Art + Design Program. Recent artwork includes drawings of transitory organic imagery, roots, and leaves arranged in an iconic manner, as well as installations honoring personal history that presents the viewer with meditative spaces. Her drawings, print, and installation-based work are exhibited widely including solo exhibitions across Iowa and the Midwest region. She is a regular participant in regional, national and international juried exhibitions.
Kames enjoys the creative and cultural exchange offered at artist residencies. She has worked at numerous international and national residencies. The artist created site-specific installation works for Dubuque’s Voices from the Warehouse Exhibit in 2005 and 2010. Her 2010 installation, Sacred Grove, was selected for inclusion in Beacons, An Exhibition of Luminous Art at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the 2012 Iowa Artists: Print at the Des Moines Art Center. Kames possesses a strong commitment to civic engagement. She serves on the City of Dubuque’s Art of the River Committee, StudioWorks Board and is a past member of the Dubuque Arts and Culture Affairs Commission. She was also selected as a 2021 Iowa Artist Fellow by the Iowa Arts Council.
“Over 6 million Americans have some form of dementia, and that number is only expected to continue to rise, said Figge Senior Co-Curator Joshua Johnson. “With that staggering statistic in mind we think that is important to share work like Kames’s that focuses on this difficult topic.”
“Kames’ work invites us to slow down and truly see the beauty and significance in everyday life, even in moments of change and loss,” said Figge Executive Director and CEO Melissa Mohr. “We hope visitors will find comfort and inspiration in her thoughtful, meditative pieces.”
Moderator Dana Keeton's dementia panel discussion will be held in the Davenport venue's John Deere Auditorium on March 13, with the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the Figge bar open at 5 p.m. (cards only). The Louise Kames: I Don't See Anything That's Not Beautiful exhibit itself will be on display through April 6, and admission to the Thursday-evening program is free, though the museum will be collecting donations to support the Alzheimer's Foundation of America during this event. For more information, call (563)326-7804 and visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
