New exhibition at AIA Houston showcases decades of John Kirksey’s creative musings with hundreds of whimsical doodles on display.
Kirksey Architecture celebrates the vision and creativity of the firm’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, John Kirksey, at Architecture Center Houston’s new exhibition, “A Doodle Diary.” The exhibition explores over 50 years of whimsical doodles from John’s daily routine of meetings, project design, and phone calls. “A Doodle Diary” opened on February 13th and will run through April 25th.
Showcasing hundreds of John Kirksey’s personal doodles, the exhibition explores the Kirksey founder’s creative and whimsical expression and artistic perspective. Each doodle speaks to his mind’s expression of design and how lines, colors, and shapes come together to create art.
“As I walked around and looked at all of these imaginative sketches,” noted Kirksey’s President, Wes Good, “I could remember being present for the creation of many, and how John’s attention was sharpened, and never distracted, as they took shape.”
At Thursday’s opening reception, members of the Kirksey team showed up to support John alongside his family, professionals from across the industry, and art enthusiasts alike. As guests perused the carefully curated exhibition, they could easily see the connection between doodling and the various cognitive benefits on display, evidenced by John’s long and impactful career in architecture. Between sharp geometric shapes and swooping, colorful lines are clear meeting notes, problem-solving, details, and ideas that helped shape the firm into what it is today.
Kirksey Architecture is proud to share John Kirksey’s creative genius with the city he loves so dearly and is grateful to Architecture Center Houston for hosting his work. The exhibition's curation was carefully and exceptionally done by a talented team, including Kirksey’s Marketing Art Director, Stacy Odom, Associate Brian Thompson, Associate Partner Jody Sergi; Architecture Center Houston’s Associate Director, Jennifer Ward, Graphic Designer, Andréa Barela; and made possible by in-kind donations from Innovative Environments, Signature Aspen, and an opening reception donation by Teal Construction.