ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Photograph of E.A. Kahane by Sara Cooney, courtesy of Newport Neighbors Magazine, 2020
Born in Long Island, NY, Elizabeth Ann Kahane has lived all her adult life in Manhattan, and now summers in Newport, RI. Photography has been her passion from childhood. In 2011 she began devoting full time to her craft and assumed the acronym “E.A.” (Kahane), as she prefers to be referenced when it comes to her photography. In her words, “As an artist, it shouldn’t matter what my gender, hence E.A.”
The camera has provided Elizabeth a continuing opportunity to portray, interpret and share her world. Kahane's body of work is varied, ranging from landscapes to portraits. Whether Central Park, the African veldt, Italy’s countryside, or special needs preschool children, one theme remains constant, there is always a sense of beauty, joy and excitement as seen through her lens.
Process for E.A. Kahane has always been an essential part of her photographic expression. In a recent exhibit, she chose to present her images through an installation intended to create an experience. She transported the viewer through intimate and holistic contact with her photographs using light, video, sound and even texture. The exhibition showcased her newly designed light tower, light boxes, photo-based furniture, dimensional printing, custom wallpaper, murals and silk screens. She displayed the images in such a way as to compel viewers to move beyond a four-sided, two-dimensional photograph. After many years of making pictures, she is exploring the application of those images in unusual and unique ways designed to enhance the viewer experience.
Recent site-specific installations include, “Off the Wall, On Safari with E.A. Kahane,” “We Need A Parade,” and "I LOVE A PARADE!”. Last year’s installation, “FRONT ROW SEAT, The Most Beautiful Race in the World” will be reinterpreted in outdoor public space at Museo Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy, in time for this year’s historic car race, the Mille Miglia.
While self-taught, E.A. Kahane has taken classes on the art of printing black & white film in the darkroom at the International Center for Photography in 1998 and again in 2009. In 2011 she attended the famed Jay Maisel workshop in NYC. In 2013 she studied with Arthur Meyerson in Santa Fe, NM. In addition, Elizabeth participated in photographic workshops with the JDC in Israel in 2015 and in Morocco in 2017.
Ms. Kahane is passionate about fashion and travel. Her collecting includes art and art books, with an emphasis on photography; classic cars; and wooden boats. Her greatest love, however, is being wife and mother, as well as artist.
The camera has provided Elizabeth a continuing opportunity to portray, interpret and share her world. Kahane's body of work is varied, ranging from landscapes to portraits. Whether Central Park, the African veldt, Italy’s countryside, or special needs preschool children, one theme remains constant, there is always a sense of beauty, joy and excitement as seen through her lens.
Process for E.A. Kahane has always been an essential part of her photographic expression. In a recent exhibit, she chose to present her images through an installation intended to create an experience. She transported the viewer through intimate and holistic contact with her photographs using light, video, sound and even texture. The exhibition showcased her newly designed light tower, light boxes, photo-based furniture, dimensional printing, custom wallpaper, murals and silk screens. She displayed the images in such a way as to compel viewers to move beyond a four-sided, two-dimensional photograph. After many years of making pictures, she is exploring the application of those images in unusual and unique ways designed to enhance the viewer experience.
Recent site-specific installations include, “Off the Wall, On Safari with E.A. Kahane,” “We Need A Parade,” and "I LOVE A PARADE!”. Last year’s installation, “FRONT ROW SEAT, The Most Beautiful Race in the World” will be reinterpreted in outdoor public space at Museo Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy, in time for this year’s historic car race, the Mille Miglia.
While self-taught, E.A. Kahane has taken classes on the art of printing black & white film in the darkroom at the International Center for Photography in 1998 and again in 2009. In 2011 she attended the famed Jay Maisel workshop in NYC. In 2013 she studied with Arthur Meyerson in Santa Fe, NM. In addition, Elizabeth participated in photographic workshops with the JDC in Israel in 2015 and in Morocco in 2017.
Ms. Kahane is passionate about fashion and travel. Her collecting includes art and art books, with an emphasis on photography; classic cars; and wooden boats. Her greatest love, however, is being wife and mother, as well as artist.
Resume:
Museum Exhibitions
2022: "Front Row Seat,” Museo Mille Miglia, Brescia, Italy – Site Specific Outdoor Installation, Solo Exhibition
2018: "HOME: Lens on Israel," Temple Emanu-El Bernard Museum, New York, NY – Group Exhibition
2016: Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI – Juried Group Show
Gallery Exhibitions
2021: "Front Row Seat," Sarah Langley Gallery, Newport, RI – Site Specific Installation, Solo Exhibition
"Flower Power IV," Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Group Exhibition
"The Flag Project," Rockefeller Center, New York, NY – Judged and Curated, Public Installation, Group Exhibition
2020: "WE NEED A PARADE!," Historic Newport Spring Park, Newport, RI – Site Specific Outdoor Installation, Solo Exhibition
“Hey Nineteen,” Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – All-Female Group Exhibition
2019: "OFF THE WALL" On Safari with E.A. Kahane, Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Site Specific Installation, Solo Exhibition
2018: "Winter Blues," Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Group Exhibition
2017: "From a Private Collection" Photos by E. A. Kahane,” Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Solo Exhibition
2016: The Face of Grace, Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI – Photos by EA Kahane and Nick Mele
2012: Central Park Early Learning Center, AHRC NYC, Gallery 25 CPW, Portraits of 160 preschool children, Solo Exhibition
2011: “Central Park and Other Places,” Gallery 41CPW, NYC, Solo Exhibition
Collections
Corporate Collection, New York, NY
Private Collections, US and International
New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Newport Historical Society
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Philanthropic Work
In addition, photography has provided Ms. Kahane the opportunity to help some of her favorite charities by donating her work for auction and sales. Those charities and organizations include:
Board Positions
Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY
Other Committee Positions:
Tate Britain, Tate Modern, London, England
Also of Note:
Audrain Automobile Museum, Newport, RI, co-founded by Elizabeth and William Kahane
William and Elizabeth Kahane Occidental College United Nations Program, endowed gift was established
in 2014.
Associazione Caggianese D’America Honoree, 2012, in recognition of outstanding citizenship and contribution to the association celebrating her family’s heritage from Caggiano, Italy.
Awarded the “M. Anthony Fisher Humanitarian Award” by the AHRC NYC, 2011, the first woman to receive this prestigious award in 29 years since inception.
Membership Organizations:
2020-Present: Member of the Providence Art Club, (RI)
2011-Present: Member of the Associazione Caggianese D’America of New York and New Jersey (NY/NJ)
1999-Present: Women’s Committee for the Central Park Conservancy (NYC)
1990-Present: Young Men’s and Women’s Real Estate Association (NYC). Three terms as board member.
Museum Exhibitions
2022: "Front Row Seat,” Museo Mille Miglia, Brescia, Italy – Site Specific Outdoor Installation, Solo Exhibition
2018: "HOME: Lens on Israel," Temple Emanu-El Bernard Museum, New York, NY – Group Exhibition
2016: Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI – Juried Group Show
Gallery Exhibitions
2021: "Front Row Seat," Sarah Langley Gallery, Newport, RI – Site Specific Installation, Solo Exhibition
"Flower Power IV," Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Group Exhibition
"The Flag Project," Rockefeller Center, New York, NY – Judged and Curated, Public Installation, Group Exhibition
2020: "WE NEED A PARADE!," Historic Newport Spring Park, Newport, RI – Site Specific Outdoor Installation, Solo Exhibition
“Hey Nineteen,” Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – All-Female Group Exhibition
2019: "OFF THE WALL" On Safari with E.A. Kahane, Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Site Specific Installation, Solo Exhibition
2018: "Winter Blues," Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Group Exhibition
2017: "From a Private Collection" Photos by E. A. Kahane,” Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport, RI – Solo Exhibition
2016: The Face of Grace, Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI – Photos by EA Kahane and Nick Mele
2012: Central Park Early Learning Center, AHRC NYC, Gallery 25 CPW, Portraits of 160 preschool children, Solo Exhibition
2011: “Central Park and Other Places,” Gallery 41CPW, NYC, Solo Exhibition
Collections
Corporate Collection, New York, NY
Private Collections, US and International
New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Newport Historical Society
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Philanthropic Work
In addition, photography has provided Ms. Kahane the opportunity to help some of her favorite charities by donating her work for auction and sales. Those charities and organizations include:
- Her Justice, providing pro bono legal support for women facing domestic violence
- Hearts of Gold, supporting homeless mothers and their children
- AHRC NYC, serving 15,000 children and adults with special needs in New York City and the boroughs
- Newport Art Museum’s Wet Paint Fundraiser
- St. Bernard’s School
Board Positions
Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY
- 2019 to present: Board of Trustees
- 2017-present: Contemporary art committee
- 2015 to present: Trustee
- 2015 to 2017: Co-Chair of the Annual Fall Gala
- Real Estate Committee and Paul Strand Circle Chair
- 2010 to present: Trustee
- 1997 to 2016: Co-chair for AHRC Annual Real Estate and Construction Dinner “Special Night for Special Children”
- 2014-2019: Trustee
- 2015 to 2019: First Vice President
- 2015 to 2018: Co-chair of the annual “Artist Ball”
Other Committee Positions:
Tate Britain, Tate Modern, London, England
- 2019 to present: Photography Acquisitions Committee
- 2017 to present: Appointed Ambassador
- 2019 to 2022: Guggenheim Photo Council
- 2015 to 2020: Collections Committee
Also of Note:
Audrain Automobile Museum, Newport, RI, co-founded by Elizabeth and William Kahane
William and Elizabeth Kahane Occidental College United Nations Program, endowed gift was established
in 2014.
Associazione Caggianese D’America Honoree, 2012, in recognition of outstanding citizenship and contribution to the association celebrating her family’s heritage from Caggiano, Italy.
Awarded the “M. Anthony Fisher Humanitarian Award” by the AHRC NYC, 2011, the first woman to receive this prestigious award in 29 years since inception.
Membership Organizations:
2020-Present: Member of the Providence Art Club, (RI)
2011-Present: Member of the Associazione Caggianese D’America of New York and New Jersey (NY/NJ)
1999-Present: Women’s Committee for the Central Park Conservancy (NYC)
1990-Present: Young Men’s and Women’s Real Estate Association (NYC). Three terms as board member.