Artist Bids Goodbye to Hello Kitty Masterpieces

Artist Leslie Holts Final Kitty Exhibition Opens at Burnet Gallery

MINNEAPOLIS Hello Masterpiece, the tongue-in-cheek work in which artist, Leslie Holt playfully inserts the pop culture icon Hello Kitty into both classic and contemporary masterpieces, has been wildly popular. Its even earned her in a place in academic works, such as Pink Globalization an anthropologic study on exportation of Japanese pop culture around the world. Yet, in spite of the series success, Holt has declared this will be her final solo exhibition featuring the Hello Kitty works, hence the title for her show at the Burnet Gallery opening Nov. 15, Hello Kitty: Dénouement.

Ive been painting the Hello Masterpiece series for more than six years and artistically its time to move on, notes Holt. Even so, the artist admits shell miss the comic relief Hello Kitty provides.

Hello Kitty is this blank slate of expression, explains Holt. She offers endless possibilities. I can insert her into an old master or a pop art classic and she creates a completely different conversation with the audience. For this final show Ive given myself permission to revisit my favorite masterpiece works, but in each Hello Kitty is doing something different than Ive had her do previously. Each work is unique.

Holts works are also far more than light-hearted artistic fare; Its both interesting and disturbing that the way most people will experience the worlds famous works of art is via post cards or pages in a book, explains Holt. You can find (Van Goghs) Starry Night on calendars, cups and t-shirts. These iconic paintings have been commercialized in very much the same way as Hello Kitty; who is about the most commercial whore there is.

Holt interjects the iconic character, Hello Kitty, into small paintings some literally the size of postcards, noting thats the size at which most of the population will ever get to experience the original works. The artist adapts famous works by such notable artists as Lichtenstein, Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, Velasquez, Matisse, Picasso, Klimt, and Warhol, literally bringing them down to size to be appreciated and enjoyed by the masses or at least those with an irreverent sense of humor.

Hello Kitty serves as both artists model and muse for Holt. Multiple Hello Kitty figurines in different poses and outfits fill Holts studio. Holt stays true to Hello Kittys form and style, so what she can potentially have Hello Kitty do in a setting helps Holt determine which masterpiece will serve as the icons next iconic and ironic backdrop.

Through her paintings, Holt has taken Hello Kitty on a virtual tour through art history, dressing her up to match elements of each of the famous paintings. She loves the way that Hello Kitty serves as a point of access into the world of art for a certain audience that might not otherwise take an interest in it.

I have people who come to see my pieces because they grew up with Hello Kitty and then want to learn more about the masterpiece depicted, says Holt. And there are other people who recognize the artists work and just love the humor and irony of them.

The Opening Reception for Hello Kitty: Dénouement with artist Leslie Holt is Fri., Nov. 15 from 6 to 9 pm. In addition, there will be an artist conversation with Holt on Sat. Nov. 16 from 3-4:30 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

Hello Kitty: Dénouement runs through Jan 5, 2014. Gallery hours are 11 am to 9 pm daily and by appointment.

Leslie Holt is from Bethesda, Md. and in 2012 returned to the Washington, DC metro area after living in St. Louis for 20 years. She received her BFA in Painting at Washington University in St. Louis and her MFA in Painting at Washington State University. She has taught studio art, art history and art appreciation on the college level since 2001. She has also worked as a social worker and advocate for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and people receiving welfare benefits. From 2009- 2012 she served as founding board president and then executive director of VSA Missouri, a statewide organization that promotes access to arts for people with disabilities.

In addition to her studio practice, Leslie is a teaching artist and grant writer at Art Works Studio School in Mt. Rainier, MD, and teaches online for Fontbonne University. She exhibits her work nationally and is represented by the David Lusk Gallery in Memphis and Curator's Office in Washington, DC.

Holt is represented by the David Lusk Gallery; PHD Gallery and Curators Office.

Burnet Gallery is located in Le Méridien Chambers, an award-winning art hotel located in downtown Minneapolis. Burnet Gallery is a commercial gallery showcasing works by a wide array of international, national and local contemporary artists.

Considered one of the top boutique art hotels in the world, Le Méridien Chambers features more than 200 pieces of original contemporary art throughout the public areas as well as the hotels 60 guest rooms. Located at 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn., it offers a unique combination of art, culinary, design and true boutique hotel experience. For reservations, call: 612-767-6900 or visit: www.LeMeridien.com/minneapolis.

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