Artist gives voice to abused women
A painting is color on canvas. But if you look closer, each stroke tells a story and each mark reveals a feeling.
When Nick Kahle, 27, of Clarion returns to Butler County Community College's main campus Sunday to show 20 pieces of his artwork in an exhibition, he hopes people will see and feel the emotion — and find some way to heal.
Kahle's collection, “Solace in the Abstract,” is about violence against women. This will be his first exhibition as an artist.
Kahle said abuse is a topic that is relevant today for many, if not most, Americans.
“Abuse is more common today than a strong household. It's almost like negativity has almost consumed what a home life is,” Kahle said.
For the featured paintings Kahle used acrylic paint in varying shades of dark colors with some splashes of brighter hues. But consistent with his theme, most of his work features blacks, blues, purples and yellow-greens. The colors are reminiscent of the shades that comprise bruises and meant to show women in an abusive situation or in the aftermath of one.
Kahle said guests at the exhibit need to find their own meaning in the work, especially those looking for pieces to their own emotional puzzles.
“It's for anybody that can connect and gain healing from the piece itself,” he said. “There's a certain transition where it sort of exceeds what I want and it falls into the hands of the viewer.”
A reception for Kahle will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the college's Mary Hulton Phillips Gallery. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays each week. Kahle's show will continue through Sept. 20.
Kahle, a 2016 BC3 graduate, returned to work at the college in April to paint the exhibition's capstone painting, “Societal Corruption of the Feminine.”
“It's originally composed of complementary colors: red and green and purple,” he said. “The reason why it is the centerpiece is because it embodies the message the most.”
The 4-by-5-foot painting shows the mangled face of a woman with a bruised right eye and her left eye swollen shut.
“It kind of represents the inner beauty of a woman and the (degradation) of that from external factors and experiences,” Kahle said.
Kahle said the work could affect not only the abused but shed light on abusers, too.
“That exertion of masculinity and aggression is a huge problem,” he said. “I hope it sets some light bulbs off in people's heads.”
Courtney Riffer, director of prevention and outreach at the Victim Outreach and Intervention Center (VOICe), said Kahle's paintings could affect victims in different ways.
“A lot of it is going to depend on the person. Some may look at it and see a healing aspect from it or some may be triggered by it,” Riffer said. “If someone attends, it's just a matter of being prepared (to have) an emotional response.”
He said creative responses, like journaling, poetry and other methods, are used often in recovery by victims of abuse. He said the exhibit could prompt people to engage in those activities.
“They could see something there and it could trigger some sort of creative response of their own,” Riffer said.While people not ready to approach their past feelings or experiences with abuse should exercise caution, many could find it helpful, Riffer said.“These issues affect all of these people regardless of economic status, background or ethnic diversity. It touches everyone,” Riffer said. “I think it's a great opportunity. Any time we can put something in the public eye, to raise awareness or raise conversation is always going to help.”Kahle said he tries to connect with the viewer on an intense, emotional level through his artwork, which comes from personal experience with abuse and having been a confidant to others who have suffered from abuse physically, mentally and emotionally. The exhibition should also help victims feel less alienated. He said it could also validate a viewer's feelings as a victim.“I would say the main essence ... is that they see common ground and that they are not alone,” Kahle said. “Once they realize there is an outlet and a sense of hope, I hope that the next step is healing.”David Ludwick, BC3's fine arts instructor and Kahle's former professor, said he remembers when Kahle developed the theme. He remembers seeing Kahle jump from a typical art student to someone with great potential.“He just started exploring this back when I had him as a student in 2016. It was really different from what he'd been doing before,” Ludwick said. “This new work that he's doing is just full of energy and emotion.”Ludwick called Kahle one of the most talented students he has taught over his 30 years as an art educator.“It's great to give a great young artist an emerging show,” Ludwick said. “He's an exceptional young artist.”Kahle said he wants to keep producing paintings for people whose stories deserve to be told, giving voice and emotional support to those who feel like they can't do it on their own.“It just had to be said. I had to put the nail into the coffin and say, hey, this is what's going on in the world and it's not right,” Kahle said. “Instead of living in a world with that, I'd like to produce content that inspires change in time.”
