2003 A. I. A. Houston Artist of the Year
1997 Creative Artist Program Award, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council of Houston,
Harris County, Texas
1995 Artist Project Grant, Cultural Arts Council of Houston, Harris County, Texas
1989 Mid-America Arts Alliance
1988 Anne Giles Kimbrough Fund, presented through the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas
1987 Creative Artist Program Award, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council of Houston
Roadside Attractions: The Art Car Parade, Awards won 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, sponsored by the
Orange Show Foundation for Visionary Art, Houston, Texas
Bibliography
2002 Design Consultant master plan for Westpark enhancement project in collaboration with
Clark Condon Architects, Houston, TX
1994 Design Consultant: Moody Park Renovation, in collaboration with Clark Condon
Architects, Houston, Texas
1993 Design Consultant: La Villa de las Flores, a neighborhood development plan, Houston, TX
Public Design Projects
Solo Exhibitions
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Menil Collection, Houston
The New Museum, New York
The Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX
PAUL KITTELSON
Public Commissions
Selected Group Exhibitions
Sculpture
Paul Kittelson was born in Wheaton, Minnesota. He received his BFA in 1982 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his MFA from the University of Houston in 1985. Since 1992 Kittelson has served on the faculty of the UH School of Art. Besides teaching, his professional practice includes studio-generated works in a multitude of media and large-scale public art projects. His studio work has been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries both nationally and internationally. For over 35 years, Kittelson has engaged the larger public audience through temporary site-specific works and community-based projects. Kittelson has also completed several large-scale permanent installations that have become Houston landmarks.
Museum Collections
pkittelson@gmail.com
415 Martin St Houston TX 77018 US
Fellowships, Grants and Awards
Dana Duterroil/Joni Fincham, 111 Places For Kids In Houston That You Must Not Miss,
Photographs by Sara S Murphy. 2022. Dinosaur Park, P. 70.
Hodges, Lauren, “Measuring Up, Scaling Down”, Encore, Vol 21, Pub 21, Nov 21, 07, p. 24-25,
cover.
French, Christopher, “Paul Kittelson”, review in Art News, Summer 2007, Volume 106, #7,
p. 207.
Davenport, Bill, “Household items give tinkerer a voice”, Hou Chronicle, Thur, Mar 15, 07, Sect
Star, p 4.
Meyer, Michael, “Houston Hideaway”, Continental Magazine, Dec 2007, Vol 11, Issue 12, p 107.
Whitney, Kathleen, “Paul Kittelson: Curious Objects”, Sculpture Magazine, November, 2003,
Vol. 22 No.9., p.18, 19.
Johnson, Patricia, “Artists offer personal perspectives by tapping into memories.”
Houston Chronicle, June 14, 2003, section d. p. 9.
Lauster, Daryl. “Paul Kittelson’s The Next Supper”. Artlies. Fall 2002. P. 88.
Harrison, David. “Nothing to Eat But Food”, Glass Tire, Texas Visual At Online. Fall 2002.
Greene, Alison de Lima. “TEXAS: 150 Works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston”, The
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2000
Bilger, Burkhard. “Genetic Countdown”, The Sciences, March-April 2000, p.9, illus.
Johnson, Patricia. “Shows offer a mix of reality, experimentation, physicality.” Houston
Chronicle. May 11, 2000, section d, p. 1.
Anspon, Catherine D. “Paul Kittelson: New Sculpture.” Houston CitySearch. December, 1999.
Watson, Randy. “April.” ArtLies. Fall, 1998
Moore, Jodi and Williams, Robert. “Making Art: Making a Life.” Collegium. winter, 1998.
Anspon, Catherine D. “Houston’s Art Haven - The Heights.” Public News. October 29, 1997.
Dewan, Shaila. “Sweet Stuff: Paul Kittelson’s giant candy proves a summer treat.” Houston
Press. July 18, 1996, p. 43, illus.
Paris, Wendy. “The Lesser Gods of Earth.” (review) Sculpture Magazine, November-December
1994, pp. 51-52, illus.
Kalil, Susie. “Plastic Jesus: with his poetic kitsch gods, Paul Kittelson is one of Houston’s most
important artists.” Houston Press. July 14, 1994, p. 30, illus.
Johnson, Patricia Covo. Contemporary Art in Texas. Craftsman House, 1994. pp., illus.
Wong, Teresa. “Paul and Carter’s Public Art.” Museum and Arts Magazine, September 1993,
pp. 22-27, illus.
Kimmelman, Michael. “Sculpture, sculpture, everywhere.” New York Times. July 31, 1992,
section c, pp. 1, 22.
Moore, Barry. “Triceratops.” Houston Press. June 18, 1992, p. 18.
George, Ron. “Art Wall.” Corpus Christi Caller-Times. August 11, 1991, section d, pp. 1, 10.
Dobay, Louis. “Texans through the looking glass.” Houston Press. March 17, 1991. p. 26
Johnson, Patricia. “Artistic duo married to their work.” Houston Chronicle.
2022 Heads and Fables, A two-person collaborative exhibition with Carter Ernst, Redbud
Gallery, Houston.
2021 An Unearthly Affair, a two-person collaborative exhibition with Carter Ernst at The
Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
2017 On The Line, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston
2016 Falling Skies, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston
2014 Through The Lunchbox, One Allen Center, Houston
Lean, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston
2011 Mirror Mirror, Nau-haus Gallery, Houston
2008 Modern Conveniences, Nau-haus Gallery, Houston
2007 Elswhere, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
2004 Bending Venus, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
2003 Melt Down, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
2002 The Next Supper, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
1999 New Sculpture, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
1998 Too Good to be True, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
1996 Double Delicious, Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston
1995 Paul Kittelson: Recent Work, Milagros Contemporary, San Antonio
Still Life, The Art League of Houston, Houston
1994 Lesser Gods of Earth, Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston
1993 Inside Out: Installation by Paul Kittelson, The Art Museum of
Southeast Texas, Beaumont
1988 The Seven Deadly Sins, Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston
2022 Healing Trees, Memorial Herman Hospital, The Woodlands, TX
2021 Cardinal Column, in collaboration with Carter Ernst, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
2014 You Are Here, Magnolia Light Rail Transit Center, Houston TX
2010 Take-off, in collaboration with Carter Ernst, A 30’ stainless steel bird’s nest
at Hobby Airport, Houston, TX
2005 Heritage Lanterns, in collaboration with Carter Ernst, Five stainless steel
towers with LED lights, at Root Memorial Square Park in downtown Houston.
2002 Bayou Beacons, in collaboration with Rey De La Reza, Architects, designed stainless
steel light structures for the I-45 Freeway as it passes over Buffalo Bayou, Houston, TX
1999 Nicholas Broodo Playhouse, in collaboration with Carter Ernst. A concrete and tile
memorial at Shlenker School, Houston, TX
1997 Doughnut, No Tsu Oh, Houston, Texas
Passage, in collaboration with Carter Ernst. a permanent installation at the University
of Houston Downtown Campus, Houston, Texas
Douglas Elementary: SPARK Park Steel Gates and tile murals featuring children’s
artwork, with artist Carter Ernst, Houston, Texas
1989-96 The Children’s Brigade, in collaboration with Carter Ernst: Construction of fifteen 12’
tall cutout toy soldiers. painted by several hundred area children and used as an
annual Christmas display at the Wortham Center, Houston,Texas
1995 Cunningham Elementary: SPARK Park tile benches and concrete paving featuring
children’s artwork, Houston, Texas
1983-95 Mud Sculptures, Using locally found mud, several sculptures completed each
year at local schools, colleges, museums, and various public events. The sculptures
consist of life size figures. They are created on site and last for several weeks. Hou, TX
1993 Garbage Monster, A roving animated sculpture, in collaboration with Tim Glover,
commissioned by the Houston International Festival
1992 Travisaurus, an outdoor play-area including a concrete dinosaur bone play-structure
surrounded by children’s artwork at Travis Elementary School, Houston, Texas
1991 Children’s’ Art Wall, in collaboration with Carter Ernst. A permanent outdoor
installation of children’s’ ceramics in Mariposa Park, Corpus Christi, Texas
1988 Children’s Art Wall-Houston, in collaboration with Carter Ernst. A permanent outdoor
installation of children’s’ ceramics in Mariposa Park, Corpus Christi, Texas
1988-90 Roadside Attractions: The Artist’s Parade (a.k.a. The Art Car Parade). Sponsored by
the Orange Show Foundation, Houston, Texas
1987 Whale. A collaboration with Olin Calk. 45’ long installation in a downtown public park.
Sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council & the Orange Show Foundation, Houston, TX
1986 Stegosaurus. 35’ long sculpture made of discarded foam rubber and placed in a local
freeway underpass. Sponsored by DiverseWorks, Houston, Texas
2023 Texas Art X-Change / Boarder Run Houston / Brownsville,
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Brownsville, TX
True North, outdoor sculpture exhibit on Heights Blvd. Houston, TX
2022 Blue Northern, SITE Gallery, Houston, TX
2021 Solid States, GRB Convention Center, Houston, TX
“On The Bayou”, Texas Sculpture Group Exhibition, Redbud Gallery, Houston
2020 40th Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Abilene, TX
2019 Selections: Drawings, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston, TX
Then and Now, Art Car Museum, Houston, TX
2018 Texas Eclectics, The Macedonian Museum of Art, Thessaloniki, Greece
Dangerous Professors, FlatLand Gallery, Houston, TX
2016 From Space to Field, SITE Gallery,Houston, TX at the Silos in Sawyer Yards
Five Sculptors, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston, TX
2015 Size Matters, Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, Al
Mixed Doubles, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston, TX
Inherent Palette, Devin Borden Gallery, Houston, TX
2014 True North, Outdoor Exhibition on Hieghts Blvd., Houston TX
Another Layover, HAA’s Alliance Gallery, Houston TX
Simple Ingredients, The Mariago Collective, Houston TX
A Panoramic View/ Texas Sculpture Group, Lawnday Art Center, Houston TX
2013 Western Sequels: Art From The Lone Star, Tophane-I Amire Culture & Art Center,
Istambul, Turkey
Luck Of The Draw, Diverse Works Artspace, Houston, TX
2012 Swirl, ACU Art Gallery, Abilene, TX
Pride, Protest And The Plains, Red Arrow Contemporary, Dallas, TX
Espoused, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX
Western Sequels: Art From The Lone Star, The Athens School of Fine Arts, Athens
Greece
2011 Scratch Off, Art Gallery @ HCC Central
Itchy Acres Artist Community, Gallery Nord, San Antonio TX
Texas Uprising: Selections from the Texas Sculpture Group Part II, Blue Star Art Space,
San Antonio TX
Vacation, Williams Tower, Houston TX
Objectivity, DM Allison Gallery, Houston TX
Pan Y Circos, PG Contemporary, Houston TX
2010 30 Years Revisited, Abilene Reunion Exhibition, Center for Contemporary Art, Abilene
Arts in Academics: Works by Houston Arts Faculty, Beeville Art Museum, Beeville TX
Material & deStructure: The Creative Alternative in Art, Poissant Gallery, Houston TX
2009 20009 Art in the Park, Arts Assembly of Midland, TX
Great Texas Sculpture Round-up, Part 2, Art Car Museum, Houston, TX
Great Texas Sculptue Round-up, Beeville Art Museum, Beeville, TX
2008 Collage, Williams Tower Gallery, Houston
2007 Big and Little, 2 exhibits at the Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington, NC
Amistad, Texas Art In Peru, Museum Del Arte Nacionale, Lima Peru
Abilene Outdoor Exhibition, Abilene TX
LU, The ArtCar Museum, Houston
Art on the Green, Kemp Center for the Arts, Wichita Falls TX
2006 Houston Now, Williams Tower Gallery, Houston
Contemporary Arts Houston, Shanghai Museum on Fine Art, Shanghai China
2005 Texmas, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
Root Squared, Cultural Arts Council, Houston/Harris County, Houston
2003 Sweet Tooth, COPIA The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, Napa California
Food Matters-Explorations in Contemporary Art, Katonah Mus of Art, Katonah, NY
Patterns & Serial Randomness, The Beaker Gallery, Tampa
2002 I-45 Combined, Lowell Collins Gallery, Houston
Buffalo Bayou Art Park Show: Watermelon Flats, Art League, Houston
2001 Bang, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
Outdoor Sculpture, North Harris County College, Houston
Food, Glorious Food, Gallery Northwest, Indiana University NW, Gary
2000 Edible Materials, UTSA Satellite Space, San Antonio
New Sculpture, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
Frame, Lawndale Art Center, Houston
Texas Survey - East Texas, One Houston Center, Houston; curator: M. Mayo
Fragments for a Memory of the Human Body, Mother Dog Studios, Houston
Prints and Sculptures, Rosebud Gallery, Houston
1999 Gallery Artists: New Work, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston
The Altoids® Curiously Strong Collection, 1999, traveled to New York, Las Vegas, Chicago,
Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
In Motion, The Artful Garden, Houston
Art in the Park, Arts Assembly of Midland, TX
The Last Sculpture Show, Rosebud Gallery, Houston
1998-99 Artistic Centers in Texas, Galveston Art Center: Galveston, TX
The Jones Center for Contemporary Art, Austin,
University of N. Texas Art Gallery, Denton, Museum of the SW, Midland, Texas.
1998 Sculpture, Barbara Davis Gallery, Houston, Texas
1997 A Wink and a Nod, Sally Sprout Gallery, Houston, Texas
The Money Show, Lesikar Gallery, Houston, Texas
1996 A Feast for the Eyes, Austin Museum of Art, Austin, Texas
Imprint, Barbara Davis Gallery/Pennzoil Place, Houston, Texas
Sculpture in the Garden, Commanders Point Art Space, Austin, Texas
1995 Seductive Surfaces, Sally Sprout Gallery, Houston, Texas
Crest Hardware Show, Brooklyn, New York
Full House, Installation with Carter Ernst, Project Row House, Houston, Texas
Open House, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas
Texas Art Celebration, 1600 Smith, Houston, Texas
1994 Born Again Objects, Bridge Center for Contemporary Art, El Paso, Texas
Uncommon Objects, Barry Whistler Gallery, Dallas, Texas
Texas Selections from the Art Museum of Southeast Texas
Dishman Gallery, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas
The Box: An Invitational Exhibition, Hooks-Epstein Gallery, Houston,
1993 Sculpture on the Green, The Houston Omni Hotel, Houston, Texas
Houston’s Known and Underknown, One Allen Center, Houston, Texas
Buffalo Bayou ArtPark: Past, Present, and Future, Houston, TX
Mother Dog Museum of Modern Art, Houston, Texas
Exploring Scale in Contemporary Art, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Austin
Sculptors and Paper, Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston, Texas
1992 Silhouettes of the Southwest, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, State Island, New York
Recreation/Re-Creation: Art from Found Objects, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Austin, TX
Creative Partners, Sewall Gallery, Rice University, Houston, Texas
Ship-Shapes, Galveston Art Center, Galveston, Texas Inaugural Exhibition,
Buffalo Bayou ArtPark, Houston, Texas
1991 Garden of Earthly Delights, in collaboration with Carter Ernst,
Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston, Texas
Twelfth Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Abilene, Texas
Contemporary Issues, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas
Landscapes, outdoor exhibition organized by DiverseWorks, Houston
1990 Found Objects, Edith Baker Gallery, Dallas, Texas
Project Houston, Diverse Works, Houston, Texas
1988 Art in Public Places, collab. w/ Carter Ernst, Downtown Holiday Display, Houston, Texas
Tenth Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Abilene, Texas
The First Texas Triennial, Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston, Texas
Houston ‘88, the Houston Art Dealers Association, Cullen Center, Houston, Texas