
Ken Nahan
(American, b. 1960)
A longtime member of the New Orleans art community, Ken Nahan graduated with honors and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1983 from Tulane University. He traveled to Europe where he worked under the guidance of his mentor and friend, Cubist painter and printmaker Max Papart. Nahan has studied an array of printmaking techniques, creating lithographs at Atelier Grapholith and with Pierre Chave, etchings at Atelier Morsang, and silkscreens with master screen printer Gary Lichtenstein.
“Flow is a series to be experienced as if hearing imagined melodies. Using ink and acrylic paint on handmade paper and vintage maps, these pieces emerge as spontaneous improvisations, blending abstraction, geometry and musicality. They carry no predetermined intent, allowing the interplay of flowing lines and shapes to unfold organically. Repeated motifs often mirror musical cadences, while orchestrated colors suggest tonalities, creating compositions that resonate with rhythm and movement.”
Nahan has exhibited his work throughout the U.S. and Europe. He currently lives and works in New Orleans. Full C.V. available upon request.
VOYAGES
(Book) Hardcover. Available for purchase in the gallery. Hand signed by the artist. Click the image to page through the book.
FLOW
(Book) Hardcover. Available for purchase in the gallery. Hand signed by the artist upon request. Click the image to page through the book.
FORMS AND FREQUENCIES (8" x 5.5" unframed)
Ink and acrylic on handmade paper.
JAZZ QUARTET (16" x 20"; 28½" x 34" framed in black)
Ink and acrylic on vintage map.
WHILE THE WORLD SLEEPS (29" x 48" framed in black)
Acrylic on panel. *SOLD*
STRUCTURED INFLUENCE (16" x 20"; 23¼" x 27¼" framed in black)
Ink and acrylic on vintage map. *SOLD*
THE ANCESTOR'S WELCOME (8" x 5½ unframed)
Ink and acrylic on vintage map.
GRAND VORTEX (40" x 58" unframed; 42.625" x 30.625" framed)
Ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart.
MUSICAL DIALOG (Two sheets at 28" x 21"; framed in black 42" x 56")
Diptych on handmade paper.
PREVAILING CURRENTS (32.125" x 40.125")
Acrylic on map. *SOLD*
TRUTH MATTERS (28" x 48" unframed; 28¾" x 49¾" framed)
Acrylic on panel.
LIFE IS A LOT LIKE JAZZ (20" x 28" unframed; 30" x 41" framed)
Acrylic and collage on handmade paper.
TIDES AND CURRENTS (8" x 5½" unframed)
Ink and acrylic on vintage map. *SOLD*
MEANDERING THROUGH THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND (20" x 16" unframed)
Ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart mounted on board.
HARMONIC CONVERGENCE (41" x 66¾" unframed)
Acrylic on panel.
MUSINGS ON THE GREAT BEYOND (14" x 22" unframed; 21" x 28¾" framed)
Ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart mounted on board.
NEAR AND FAR (21" x 24)
Acrylic and ink on panel.
COSMIC DANCE (40" x 58" unframed)
Acrylic on canvas.
OPENING STANZA (14" x 22" unframed; 21" x 28¾" framed)
Ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart mounted on board. 2024.
OUROBOROS (40" x 58" unframed;
Acrylic on canvas.
THE CRUISE (28" x 40" unframed; 32" x 44½" framed)
Ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart.
TREE OF KNOWLEDGE (12" x 1 4.375" framed)
Ink on handmade paper.
CONDUCTED STORY (21" x 24)
Acrylic and ink on panel.
A VORTEX OF INSPIRATION (20" x 16" unframed)
Ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart mounted on board.
OSCILLATIONS (5½" x 8" unframed)
Ink and acrylic on handmade paper. *SOLD*
BWA MYTHS (28" x 21" unframed; 37" x 29" framed )
Acrylic on handmade paper.
“Flow” exhibition opening
During the annual Magazine Street Merchants Association’s Champagne Stroll on May 10, 2025, Jillian Mac Fine Art proudly unveiled Flow, an impressive collection of new works by celebrated artist Ken Nahan. Amidst the bustling sidewalks of the Magazine Street Arts District, Flow invited visitors to experience Nahan’s signature blend of fluid motion, bold color, and emotional depth. The evening brought art lovers and collectors together for a sparkling night of inspiration, as Nahan’s new works captured the imagination and perfectly complemented the jubilant spirit of the art walk which has become a favorite spring tradition along historic Magazine Street.
Photography by Frank Aymami III @frankphotog

Early evening on Magazine Street for the 2025 Magazine Street Merchants Association annual Champagne Stroll.

Setting the mood for Champagne Syroll 2025.

Early arrivals for the 2025 Champagne Stroll.

Gallery owner Jill McGaughey and artist Ken Nahan.

Art patrons take in 'Flow,' new works by Ken Nahan (shown: Grand Vortex (left) and Musician Dialogue (right).

Nahan artworks (L to R): Ouroboros, sculptures by Steve Martin, Prevailing Currents, Jazz Quartet.

Art patron viewing Ouroboros by Ken Nahan

Friends and collectors of Ken Nahan attend the premiere of 'Flow.'

Ken Nahan with Callan Contemporary's Steven & Borislava Callan

Young art patrons discussing "The Cruise" by Ken Nahan (ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart).

Ken Nahan describing his painting "The Cruise" (ink and acrylic on sanded nautical chart).

Jill McGaughey and Ken Nahan with Octavia Gallery's Kristina Larson.

Ken Nahan with Octavia Gallery's Kristina Larson.

Collectors meet artist Ken Nahan.

A collector with artist Steve Martin.

"Musical Dialog" by Ken Nahan (ink and collage on handmade paper).

Gallery owner Jill McGaughey (left) with art patrons.

Ken Nahan with collector (artwork: "Jazz Quartet").