Samuel Kolmen exhibits one-man show titled ‘Interpretations’ at Melega Museum
BROWNSVILLE – Samuel Kolmen’s colleagues have described his artwork as “fearless and daring.” He describes himself as an “abstract experimentalist.” Visitors to the Frank L. Melega Art Museum in Brownsville will have the opportunity to make their own interpretations of Kolmen’s works, which will be exhibited in his one-man show titled “Interpretations.” The exhibit will run through Feb. 7.
Current world events and his background heavily influence Kolmen’s work.
Kolmen, a resident of Pittsburgh, holds a Ph.D. in physiology. He has worked as a physiologist, medical educator, researcher and administrator.
His art career began nearly three decades ago when he was at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
Kolmen was one of the medical school founders and served as the chairperson of the physiology department at Wright State University.
Kolmen spent much of his time attending conferences and meetings while at Wright.
During presentations, Kolmen would express his pro or con toward the presenter through doodles on his notepad.
“My colleagues were impressed by my doodles and suggested I put colors to them,” he said. “I never really had the time though. Then, one winter, the Ohio froze. I was at home because the school was closed. My daughters had left their art supplies at the house. I decided it was time to try my hand at painting with oils.”
Kolmen noted that most of his work at that time reflected the stresses of his profession and family life.
“This was my first attempt at art,” he said. “When you have kids, you always have to ask yourself, ‘What’s going to happen next?’ Work was the same way. I could express this through the oil on the canvas.”
Kolmen said he expanded his artwork to express his thoughts on current events and politics.
“I had been in an oil period and primarily focused on landscapes and people,” he said. “Little by little, I knew I wanted to do more and express my thoughts on what was going on in the world at the time. I chose to express this in my art through icons.”
Kolmen noted that much of his work in the “Interpretations” exhibit incorporated the use of icons.
“I transitioned from oils to acrylics,” Kolmen said. “The oils and turpentine was very costly to my health. I prefer to work with acrylics. The colors mingle and intertwine. Usually the painting turns out even better than I had initially anticipated.”
Kolmen enjoys seeing the public’s reaction to his work and notes he usually receives a positive response.
He has shown work at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, the Main Line Art Center as well as the Wayne Art Center, both located in Philadelphia, the North Hills Art Center, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and PNC Bank in Pittsburgh.
“I’ve shown most of my work in Pittsburgh,” he said. “This is where I have become very active with my art.”
According to Kolmen, his work has developed and has had progressive growth and depth through the years.
“One piece I’m showing in ‘Interpretations’ is a September 11 memorial work,” he said. “It reflects how we in the United States responded to the terrible aftermath. Visitors form their own ideas and each person will see something different being revealed through the colors and icons.”
Kolmen noted he encourages visitors to form their own interpretations on his “Interpretations.”
“The artist has something to do with the art, but the public has even more to do with it,” he said. “They see the work and give feeling and meaning to the piece. Some see X, some see Y and some see Z. They are all right. I love to see two or three people around one of my paintings and discussing it. Each has his own distinct vision or idea…. each has his own interpretation.”
“Samuel Kolmen loves to use new techniques, and I admire his enthusiasm. He is a prolific artist who has a passion for his work,” said Patrick Daugherty, curator of the Frank L. Melega Art Museum.
“I got over the period where it’s the complexity of my works that matters,” Kolmen said. “I have realized through the years that it’s about what the people think. I really want people to come and see the art and realize it’s their interpretations that matters.”