Betty Kent

As an important Alabama artist and cultural trail blazer, Betty Kent’s mastery of jubilant color, extraordinary textures, and amusing yet thoughtful collages smartly referenced the 1980’s, until her last definitive public works in 2007.

With humor, talent and sly references, Betty navigated these years when familiar ideas of femininity were often at odds with changes in the roles of women.  Always the lady but one with a wink, she enticed viewers to think about fashion, flamboyance and color – to realize their importance as a source of joy.  With subtle irony Betty sought identity through artistic expression.

Betty Kent was one of Space One Eleven’s own.  She participated in the foundation of the organization and was one of two Birmingham artists to exhibit in Space One Eleven’s inaugural 1986 show “Found Around the South.”  Her last exhibition was also at Space One Eleven, “Now …and Then” in 2007.

She was always available to her colleagues and generous to those just emerging on the cultural scene.  She was active in bringing audiences to contemporary art while as an inveterate traveler; she challenged Alabamians to seek fine art around the world.