Ken Kalman
Instagram: @kenkalman
Website: http://www.kenkalman.com
Bio: ONE PERSON EXHIBITIONS Ken Kalman, “Points of Interest”, George Krevsky Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2013 Ken Kalman, A Historical Narrative: A Survey Through Objects and Collectables, Dominican University, San Marco Gallery, San Raphael, CA 2012 Ken Kalman, OK Harris Gallery, New York, New York 2012 Ken Kalman, Metal, Wood, Paper, George Krevsky Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2009 Animal, Insects and Mapworks, Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA 2008 Crockett Contemporary Art, Crockett, CA 2006 “Native”, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, sculptures by Ken Kalman, Walnut Creek, CA 2002 Transamerica Two, San Francisco, California 1995 AirTouch Communications, Walnut Creek, California 1995 Gensler and Associates Architects, San Francisco, California 1994 Reed Whipple Cultural Center, Las Vegas, Nevada 1993 GROUP EXHIBITIONS Birds, Birds, and More Birds, Museum of Northern California Arts, Chico, CA 2025 California Jewish Open, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, CA 2024 Surreal Insectica and the Goo Goo Zoo, Transmission Gallery, Oakland, CA 2024 California Jewish Open, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, CA 2024 Sanchez Art Center, Left Coast Annual, Pacifica, CA 2023 Transmission Gallery, Lamps and Other Useful Items, Oakland, CA 2022 Gualala Arts Center, On The Move: Migration/Emigration/ Immigration, Gualala, CA 2022 Transmission Gallery, Oakland, CA 2022 Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, “Cartography Exhibition”, Auburn, NY 2014
Statement: Humans are territorial creatures with a strong need for self-preservation. We are also storytellers and historians who map and catalogue geographic, political, and real estate boundaries. The fact that maps tell only a temporary tale is what makes them most interesting to me. Modern weapons have evolved from the simplest tools of early man, and many of them are stunning examples of fine machinery and craftsmanship. My interest of guns and maps come from a study in military history, a respect for human invention and an occasional glimpse of mortality. The guns I make are covered with paper maps (vintage and contemporary) and these maps reflect something of the time, place, and purpose of the gun. The connections between the map and the gun range from geography alone to the civilizations, tribes and populations that were destroyed by that particular weapon. The sculptures are made of aluminum sheet and rods, rivets, screws, and paper. They are non-functioning and include rifles, semi automatic guns, and pistols. Ken Kalman- Emeryville, California 2025
