Biography

Margaret Kissel Gohn is an American artist who has worked with a variety of painting materials, drawing and digital media. She ventures into three dimensions and ceramics occasionally. Her work has been exhibited in regional and national juried shows, as well as in Japan. Ms. Gohn has illustrated and designed greeting cards that have been sold internationally through Sunrise Greetings and Hallmark.

Margaret Gohn earned an MFA from Indiana State University where she studied with Nancy Nichols-Pethick. Previously she studied art at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana where she received a BFA, and at at IU's Hope School of Fine Arts in Bloomington, Indiana. Ms. Gohn teaches at the Herron School of Art & Design at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

Statement

The way in which people see themselves relative to nature is central to my art creation. We can see ourselves as a part of the cycle of life – an animal with exceptional adaptational abilities living in an awesome world. Or we can see ourselves as separate from nature, with nature as a nuisance and an obstacle to overcome. 

Our view of the world is affected by the archetypes in which we are invested. I have been exploring pre-historic symbolism associated with snakes that goes back 70,000 years. Snakes can symbolize wisdom, healing and life or…. evil. Our particular understanding of snakes can reflect our relationship with nature, culture and religion.

In my paintings, I show women integrated with nature and snakes and the cycle of life and death. One of my considerations is creating a sense of nature through the use of materials. I create a low relief using a mixture of oil paint, wax and sand. The build-up of layers adds a natural sensibility. The painted moss becomes moss-like, the painted tree bark resembles the texture of tree bark. In this way I intentionally cause the material itself to cast shadows, and I also paint shadows into the work. I use collected sand, and dirt from different areas. This creates another layer of connection to the earth.

There is not one flat surface, but many layers of meaning and complexity. The image of a positive association with women and snakes symbolically reconnects humanity with nature. Abstract expressions of aliveness and vulnerability, the paintings reflect a material nature along with human-inspired culture. 

Selected Exhibits:

2011  Owensboro Museum of Fine Art ~ Owensboro, KY ~ RiverCountry Reflections ~ National Juried Exhibition

2011  Swope Art Museum ~ Terre Haute, IN ~ Wabash Valley Juried Exhibition 

2011  Northwest Missouri State ~ Maryville, MO ~ Ephemera ~ National Juried Exhibition

2011  Indiana State University University Gallery ~ Terre Haute ~ Juried Exhibit

2010  The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science ~ Mid-States Art Exhibition (Regional Juried)

2010  Swope Art Museum ~ Terre Haute ~ Open File  ~ Multi-Artist Screening of Videos

2010  Halcyon Contemporary Art ~ Terre Haute ~ Multi-Artist Exhibition

2009  Indianapolis Art Center ~  Nature Awakens Creativity ~ Group Exhibit sponsored by the Central IN Land Trust

2009  Indianapolis Zoo ~ Naturally Inspired  ~ Group Exhibit and Silent Auction Benefit

2009  Swope Art Museum ~ Terre Haute, IN ~ Wabash Valley Juried Exhibition 

2009  Indiana State University Bare Montgomery Gallery ~ Terre Haute ~ Solo Exhibit

2009  Women's Institute and Gallery ~ New Harmony, IN ~ Solo Exhibit

2008  The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science ~ Mid-States Art Exhibition (Regional Juried)

2008  University of Indianapolis Art Gallery ~ Seeing the Land ~ Regional juried exhibit

2008  Gallery North ~ Bloomington, IN ~ Art For All Seasons ~ Juried exhibit (Prairie Sponsor Award)

2008  Swope Art Museum ~ Terre Haute, IN ~ Wabash Valley Juried Exhibition (Purchase Award)

2008  Pendleton Art Center ~ Rising Sun, IN ~ Great Escapes ~ Juried Exhibit

2008  Luna Moth Gallery at the Bloomington Eco-Center ~ Bloomington, IN ~ Solo Exhibit

2007  Trulli Flatbread~ Bloomington, IN ~ Two-person Exhibit

2007  Tutto Bene ~ Bloomington, IN ~ Solo Exhibit

2006  Swope Art Museum ~ Terre Haute, IN ~ Fundraiser

2005  John Waldron Arts Center ~ Bloomington, IN ~ Main Gallery Exhibit

2002  Oguraya Gallery ~ Tokyo, Japan ~ The Indiana Art and Culture Show

2002  Sunrise Corporate Gallery ~ Bloomington, IN

1999  Indiana Governor's Mansion ~ Indianapolis, IN ~ First Ladies Art Series

1999  Louisville Visual Art Association ~ Louisville, KY ~ Rental gallery exhibit

1998  The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science ~ Mid-States Art Exhibition (Regional Juried)

1994  Midstates Gallery ~ Evansville, IN ~ Solo Exhibit

1993  American States Insurance Company ~ Indianapolis, IN ~ American States Art Competition

1993  Tulip Tree Gallery ~ Muncie, IN ~ Group exhibits

1993  Southern Indiana Center for the Arts ~ Seymour, IN ~ Solo Exhibit

1993  T.C. Steele State Historic Site ~ Great Outdoor Art Contest (Award Winners Exhbibt)

1992  Hoosier Salon ~ Indianapolis, IN ~ Juried Show

1992  Indiana State Fair ~ Indianapolis, IN

1991  T. C. Steele State Historic Site ~ Great Outdoor Art Contest (Award Winners Exhbibt)

1991  Indiana State Fair ~ Indianapolis, IN