Axis Gallery is pleased to present Difference and Repetition, a group exhibition featuring the works of four distinct painters, each engaging with the dual concepts of difference and repetition as both philosophical inquiries and creative catalysts. The exhibition runs from October 4 to October 27, with an opening reception on October 12, 5-8pm.
Inspired by the writings of philosopher Gilles Deleuze, Difference and Repetition considers the interplay between sameness and multiplicity, exploring how these dynamics inform one another when working within a series. While the artists do not claim to interpret Deleuze's philosophy directly, they find in it a rich conceptual ground for experimentation and exploration.
Each of the four participating artists—F. Lo Russo, Kiki Johnson, Tom Betthauser, and Erin Kaczkowski—approaches these ideas through a unique visual language. Their works collectively investigate the ways in which the repetition and rhythm of forms and ideas can subtly evolve to difference, multiplicity, and new meaning within an evolving body of work.
About the Artists
F. Lo Russo (b. 1982) in Bari, Italy, is an artist whose work explores unconscious processes, gender, language, and the intersections of deep time, evolution, and digital determinism, drawing on insights from cognitive science and psychoanalysis.
She holds an MFA in Painting from Yale University (2011) and completed a residency at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2008). She earned a MSed in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College and a B.A. in Plan II from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to her artistic practice, F. Lo Russo works as a psychotherapist, and specializes in issues related to identity, sexuality and creativity. She lives in New York City.
For more about her work, visit Instagram @lorussostudio or email francescalr26@gmail.com.
Kiki Johnson (b. 1985) is an accomplished visual artist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Yale University (2012) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts (2007). Johnson’s work has been showcased in prominent exhibitions across Los Angeles, Houston, and Halifax, Canada.
She was a distinguished artist-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center, where she further developed her artistic practice. Johnson is also a co-founder of Ms Barbers Gallery in Los Angeles, CA, and an artist-run space in Santa Fe, NM, contributing to the vibrant art community in her region. Her artistic endeavors reflect a deep engagement with contemporary themes and a commitment to innovative practices.
For more about her work, visit Instagram @kiki_serious or email johnson.kiki@gmail.com
Tom Betthauser (b. 1987) For more information, please see https://www.tombetthauser.com/
Erin Kaczkowski (b. 1984) has been a member of Axis Gallery since 2021 and was a resident artist at Verge Center for the Arts from 2018-2022. For nearly a decade she taught studio and art history courses at several colleges in the Mojave desert region and most recently Sierra College. Erin grew up in Wisconsin and studied fine art and social work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006) and painting at Yale University (2011). Her work has been exhibited at Derek Eller Gallery (NY), Ms. Barbers (LA), Jenkins Johnson (SF) and other venues nationwide. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Library and Information Science at San José State University.