ARTIST BIO

Raised in suburban Philadelphia by a Caribbean father and a European-American mother, Kathleen Ogilvie brings a diverse range of cultural traditions and experiences to her art. Ogilvie is continually inspired to create by viewing faces and people of varied backgrounds and ethnicities. Her particular fascination with people's faces led to her strong interest in portraiture as a youth.

Academically trained, Kathleen earned her BFA from Howard University in Washington D.C. in 1992. Her course work included African and African-American art making.   While attending Howard she maintained and further developed her skills in portraiture. This was the beginning of Ogilvie's eventual termed technique "Filtered Reality", a process which combines realism with abstraction accompanied by intricate patterns.

In 1997, Ogilvie earned her MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) which she attended on a portfolio-based Trustee Scholarship. While attending SAIC, she studied historical and contemporary European fine artists. She also took part in a two week study trip to Egypt, which provided her with an opportunity to study ancient Egyptian civilization. In addition while studying for a semester in London she attended The Slade, a part of the University of London. The venue provided the opportunity for the emerging young artist to travel to Scotland, Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice. These trips strongly influenced her approach towards art making and she began creating abstract works and installations (transforming space through art).  

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PRESS RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., (March 11, 2004) ArtJaz Gallery is pleased to announce the Philadelphia artist, Kathleen Ogilvie in her first solo exhibition, "Filtered Reality in Black and White". This exhibition primarily in black and white, is on display April 2 through May 15, 2004. The opening reception will be held on First Friday, April 2nd, 5-8 pm.

Kathleen Ogilvie comes to ArtJaz Gallery in her first solo exhibition in Philadelphia.

"Filtered Reality in Black and White" is primarily pencil and ink drawings with several mixed media works. Ogilvie has termed her technique "Filtered Reality", a process which combines realism with abstraction. Ogilvie has created a distinctive style with the intertwining of portraiture and intricate patterns.

Ogilvie's abstractions exert high energy in a seemingly frenzied pattern yet the works are very much controlled and balanced as one work on display entitled "Controlled Energy". Ogilvie's fascination with faces is evident throughout this body of work. Her depth and skill of capturing nuances of an individual face or figure intertwined with abstract patterns are intriguing, dynamic and at times hypnotic.

Ogilvie states, "There's something magical about the lines and history etched into the faces of people over fifty. I believe in the beauty of diversity and in glorifying the differences in people" Whether Ogilvie is enthralled with the face of a child or a senior, her images depict beauty, strength, dignity and honor.

Ogilvie earned her BFA from Howard University in 1992 and her MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 1997.

ArtJaz Gallery is a premier contemporary fine art gallery, specializing in promoting the art of emerging and established artists of color in Philadelphia and throughout the United States. "Filtered Reality in Black and White" will be on exhibit April 2 through May 15, 2004

"Filtered Reality in Black and White," original paintings and drawings by Kathleen Ogilvie, will be on exhibit April 2 - May 15, 2004.   The opening will be held on Friday, April 2nd, 2004, from 5pm -8pm.  

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