January 18 – May 4, 2025
Curated by Tom Wolf and Laurie Dahlberg
During the 1970s and ‘80s, photographers Colleen Kenyon (American, 1951-2022) and Kathleen Kenyon (American, 1951-2023) were part of the movement of female artists who challenged the photographic establishment with innovative approaches to the medium. Colleen Kenyon was a pioneer in using hand coloring to enhance her portraits of herself and her sister in domestic settings; Kathleen Kenyon was adept at appropriating gender-specfic images of women from the mass media to create ironic photomontages. Beginning in 1981, the two sisters also served as directors of the Center for Photography at Woodstock, where they continued to advocate for the advancement of women in the arts and for artists of color. My Sister, My Self is curated by art historians Tom Wolf and Laurie Dahlberg. Organized by CPW, this retrospective features the Kenyons’ most iconic works, and was presented initially at both at CPW in Kingston, NY, and at the Kleinert/James Art Center in Woodstock, NY. The Kleinert/James segment has now closed. The exhibition materials are drawn from the archives of their works now held by CPW.
A hardcover catalog, available for sale at CPW and online at its shop HERE, accompanies the exhibition. My Sister, My Self: Photographs by Colleen Kenyon and Kathleen Kenyon features text by Wolf and Dahlberg, and CPW Curator Adam Giles Ryan.
CPW
25 Dederick Street, Kingston, NY 12401
On view Thursday-Sunday, 11–5 PM
Opening reception: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 5-8 PM
Free admission.
BIOGRAPHIES
Colleen Kenyon (1951-2022)
As CPW’s Executive Director from 1981 to 2003, Colleen Kenyon grew the fledgling alternative space into an internationally recognized cultural center. She championed the concerns of women artists, focused the CPW’s mission on contemporary fine art photography, and in 1999, inaugurated Woodstock AIR, our acclaimed residency program for artists of color. In 2004, Colleen was the recipient of the inaugural CPW Vision Award with her sister Kathleen.
Kathleen Kenyon (1951-2023)
In 1982, Kathleen joined her sister Colleen at CPW as Associate Director. She developed CPW’s nationally recognized workshop program, produced its annual auctions, designed its branding, and served as editor of its widely respected publication Photography Quarterly. In 2004, Kathleen was the recipient of the inaugural CPW Vision Award with her sister Colleen.
