Exhibit by Kirsten Kainz

We are pleased to present Mutual, a new exhibition by Montana-based artist Kirsten Kainz, that invites visitors into a vivid and thought-provoking exploration of our interconnected relationship with the natural world.

Lobby, Jessie Wilber Gallery & Galleria Hall Popup Gallery
May 8 – June 30, 2026

Reception

Opening reception during the Emerson Art Walk & Birthday Party on Friday, May 8th from 5:00-9:00pm.

Artist Statement

In Mutual, Kainz channels her enduring fascination with nature into a dynamic range of work, including bejeweled sculptural pieces, collage, and a striking “hall of heads” installation in the Lobby Gallery. In Galleria Hall, a powerful large-scale polar bear set within an arctic environment anchors the pop-up space, offering a poignant reflection on fragility, adaptation, and survival in a changing world.

Using unexpected, everyday materials, Kainz creates sculptural creatures that invite viewers into a more personal and emotional connection with the living world. Her work suggests that we are inherently wired to respond to beauty and that losing sight of it can have profound consequences.

“At its core, this exhibition is about connection,” Kainz shares. “We take care of the things we love. My work is intended to help us feel more love and connection with the fascinating creatures and ecosystems that we rely on for life. Our fates are mutual.”

Artist Bio

Kainz is widely recognized for her large-scale iron animal sculptures as well as her paintings of ephemeral landscapes and bold, expressive horses. Across mediums, her work is unified by a deep reverence for nature and a sense of urgency to protect what is increasingly at risk. She invites viewers not only to admire the natural world, but to honor and care for it.

Kainz earned her BFA in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and Curtin University in Western Australia. She lives in Montana with her husband and their four daughters, where they are deeply engaged in both creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. Her work is held in public and private collections around the world.