Andre Kohn

My next pick for this week is Mr Andre Kohn. He has an impressionistic/figurative style in oils, he's a Russian artist, and he was formally tutored at the University of Moscow. 

Excitingly, Andre Kohn defected with his family to the US (his father was a Russian army officer) and so his style met with modern America. His home is now in Arizona, albeit, he is a traveller and crosses back to Europe regularly to develop his style and to exhibit his work.

As with most of my reviews, you can find the artist on Twitter:

Suprisingly Andre has only 175 followers (this is quite inconceivable really) on twitter and I can only presume that his account must be quite new.

His own website can be found here

The first thing that struck me about Andre's work was his presentation of elegant female figures:

His presnetation of stylish confident female figures, adorned with hats and umbrellas, usually with bold crimson red and high heels is stunning.

I can only suggest that women would look at such figures and fantasise about being in such pictures, and men can never get tired of looking at such beauty.

I think it's very clever that the images have their faces shrouded. It gives room for the extra bit of fantasy and day-dream. These images aren't aged.

I also really enjoy the way that this artist uses water and rain. The reflective nature of a wet street is highly alluring - and gives of a shimmering quality.

The high quality of Andre's website allows you to have a really close look at his work:

 

This is close up on the hat of the lady in the image on the far right of the four shown above. I love the texture. And by the way, these images are large - this piece 'With a Character' is 24" x 24" and the print sells for $800.

The image above expresses causal and cool relaxation - while embodying the same desirable character with the same shrouded facial features.

 

There's an obvious comparison with this figure (right) however this lady appears far more unaware that she is being watched (somehow). Perhaps the slipped shoulder strap and the tied up hair.



Below we have a ballerina figure - perhaps a reference to the Russian arts of Andre's background. Again, the figure is posed with her back to the artist but is a wonderful portrayal of elegance - with delicate shoulders and a slender back. I particularly like the way that the artists has used the light here. The side of the subject's face is a bright red colour (in fact) but this simply convinces you of the position of the light in the room. So much is captured here - you see so much happening - but when you look at it, it is entirely in your mind. This is an entirely figurative image. 

The final image that I've chosen to reference is a young girl in a straw sun hat playing at the beach. The use of red as an energetic colour in the clothing is present again. The same thematic context of shrouded face is in play - and it's interesting that it works, this time in an entirely asexual context. It's delightful.

My final point is actually a little bit trivial. I love Andre Kohn's signature:

I just think it's very cool.

If you like this style of art, you won't be disappointed by following Andre Kohn.