Al Kittel ‘Sunbeam’ Acrylic on Canvas 48”x48” 2022. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC) Visual Arts Gallery will host a reception for “Cocoon”, a solo exhibition of the work of Al Kittel, 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 in the Visual Arts Gallery, 6401 Richards Ave.
Al Kittel is an artist and painter whose work depicts her complex experience living with a progressive neurological condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). FA is a physically debilitating and chronically fatiguing disease which also causes a shortened lifespan.
Her oldest brother, Aaron, was diagnosed with the same condition and passed away at the age of 33, after being bed-bound for the better part of a year, she shared.
“I have always known that my life was going to be condensed into fewer years than most people and after watching Aaron pass, I knew I wouldn’t suffer through what he did,” Kittel said. “I recently turned 32 and before my body deteriorates to a degree where my physical suffering outweighs the quality of my life, I will pursue medical assistance in dying.”
Her exhibition “Cocoon” will present paintings that draw from this experience, and which share the unique perspective that Kittel has gained through living with FA.
Program Head of Drawing and Painting Jared Weiss said, “Al’s work is complex and multifaceted. With this, she is unafraid to depict the intensity of life though autobiographical subject matter and imagery. Her paint handling and saturated palette gives an energy and vibrance to her figurative works, which also allows space for the viewer to see both Al’s story as well as their own.”
Director of Art on Campus Linda Cassel said, “The exhibition, ‘Cocoon,’ will be a celebration of life and one’s connection to it through art.”
“Cocoon” opens 4-6 p.m., Thursday, May 9 at SFCC’s Visual Arts Gallery and runs until Wednesday, June 5.
The SFCC Visual Arts Gallery is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except when the college is closed. For more information about the SFCC Visual Arts Gallery, contact Director of Art on Campus Linda Cassel via email at linda.cassel@sfcc.edu or call 505.428.1501.
