Ken Kohoutek

1957 Born Great Falls, Montana

EDUCATION

1978–1979 National Student Exchange Program, Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minnesota

1980 BA Visual Art, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana

1983 MFA Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois

RESIDENCIES

2014 Artist Residential Studio Program, The Pottery Workshop, Jingdezhen, China

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1983–1995 Ceramics Instructor, Honors Art Magnet Program, Visual & Performing Arts High School, St. Louis, Missouri

1984–1985 Art Instructor, Harris Stowe State College, St. Louis, Missouri

1991–1993 Art Instructor, Mark Twain Summer Institute, St. Louis, Missouri

1994–1995 Ceramics Instructor, Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

 Ken Kohoutek is known for vessel and tile works that serve as a canvas for low-fired narrative paintings. Vessels are often slip cast and tiles are slab constructed. Chaotic spatial environments featuring a bemused male character define his clay work.

Kohoutek’s work draws on the subject matter and spatial relationships throughout art history including Cubist, Dada, Pop Art, Folk Art and quilt making pieces. The affect art history has had on his compositions shows in myriad ways from large-scale machines, household objects, contrasting color fields, obsessive patterning, perspective, and scale complement the controlled chaos and the bemused male that is ever present in Kohoutek’s work.

Public Collections

Architectural Design Guild, St. Louis, Missouri

Blaine-Braswell & Associates Insurance, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri

Hallmark Corporation, Kansas City, Missouri

Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina

Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana

Noyes Street Café, Evanston, Illinois

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Great Falls, Montana

Redel’s Restaurant, St. Louis, Missouri

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois

Bibliography

Bellos, Alexandra. “New Prints and Ceramic Works.” The Riverfront Times, April 13, 1993.

Duffy, Robert. “Ken Kohoutek: Recent Work.” St. Louis Post – Dispatch, October 27, 1994.

Ellison Jr., Robert A., “Judgement Call.” American Craft Magazine (October/ November 1993).

“Upfront.” Ceramics Monthly (September 1995).

Website: http://kenkohoutekceramicartist.com/

Southern Highland Craft Guild