Visual artist featured in Lawndale exhibit

Local artist Rosine Kouamen was born in Cameroon. She moved to the United States at age 14 and became an American citizen.

Despite her lifelong love affair with art, Kouamen says she felt uncomfortable calling herself an artist until just a few years ago. Now, with several successful installations under her belt and her doubts behind her, Kouamen is gearing up to participate in a new, women-themed exhibit at the Lawndale Art Center.

Kouamen's work will be featured in the Lawndale Art Center's upcoming "Present Tense" exhibit. The exhibit – which opens Friday, Jan. 25 and runs through Saturday, March 2 – is curated by Sapphire Williams and, in addition to Kouamen, features the work of local female artists Arnea Williams, Shannon Duncan, Emily Peacock and Britt Ragsdale. Kouamen's contribution will consist of a series of large photos that tell a story.

"I'm working with large photographs … that I'm re-photographing and presenting as a story in the life of a woman," she said. "It's going to include a narrative, right on top of the picture, like a short, three-sentence story. It's going to be people in time past, as well as present and hopefully … when the viewer looks at it, this will lead them to consider the future."

An artistic flair and creative drive can be seen in all areas of Kouamen's life. When she's not creating or teaching art, Kouamen enjoys sewing clothes – a recently acquired hobby she says is an extension of her other artwork. Kouamen is also a people person who lists debating among her top interests.

"I like to debate; I like to engage people in conversation for no apparent reason," she said. "It may seem like a strange hobby to have, but it's mine. I find myself debating a lot of politics because … I am a liberal woman living in the South, so it goes without saying that people tend to want to engage me on issues … I don't mind debating as long as nobody gets angry."

She also describes herself as a "big movie buff," with a particular fondness for action films starring Bruce Willis.

To learn more about Rosine Kouamen and her artwork, visit www.rosinekouamen.com. For more information on the "Present Tense" exhibit, call the Lawndale Art Center at 713-528-5858, email askus@lawndaleartcenter.org or visit www.lawndaleartcenter.org. You can also connect with the Lawndale Art Center on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace.

ABOUT Rosine Kouamen
AGE: 30
OCCUPATION: Educator -- former professor at the University of Houston
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Tanglewood resident
FAST FACT: Kouamen holds degrees from the University of Houston, the San Francisco Art Institute and Washington and Lee University

Megan Mattingly-Arthur is a freelance writer. She can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.