KANSAS CITY, Mo. — What happens when adapting to survive means hiding pieces of who you are?

Kansas City artist Daniel Montoute explores that question in Chameleon’s Lament: Metamorphosis in the Margins, a major solo exhibition of new large-scale oil and mixed-media works opening Friday, November 6, at the ArtsKC Community Gallery.

Using the chameleon as an allegorical figure, Montoute explores the experiences of people who must camouflage or code switch to navigate society and survive. Layered textures, reclaimed materials, scraped surfaces and shifting fields of color create images that reveal and conceal themselves as viewers move around them, reflecting the exhibition’s central themes of visibility, housing insecurity, displacement and belonging.

“I hope that it inspires compassion and speaks on resilience,” Montoute said.

Rather than shame viewers for experiences they may not understand, Montoute says his goal is to use art to bridge that gap, creating space for conversation and a deeper understanding of people whose experiences can too easily remain unseen.

A portion of artwork sales from the exhibition will directly benefit reStart Inc., a Kansas City organization providing housing solutions and support services for people facing or experiencing homelessness. Montoute also serves on reStart’s board of directors.

The opening reception will bring the artwork and conversation together. Montoute will speak about the ideas behind Chameleon’s Lament, followed by a civic dialogue featuring reStart leadership. The evening will also include live acoustic music by Tirzah DeMeire.

“I have control of my canvases. I have control over my brush,” Montoute said when discussing the enormity of issues such as homelessness. “It’s a gift that was given to me that moves the needle. And that’s what I choose to do.”

EVENT DETAILS

Chameleon’s Lament: Metamorphosis in the Margins

An Exhibition by Daniel Montoute

Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
ArtsKC Community Gallery
106 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108

Admission is free. RSVP required.

ABOUT DANIEL MONTOUTE

Daniel Montoute is a Kansas City artist and founder of Montoute Arts whose work connects contemporary painting with public storytelling, civic engagement and community dialogue. His recent public work includes the Johnson County Juneteenth 2026 transit commission.

MEDIA CONTACT

Daniel Montoute

Montoute Arts montoutedaniel@gmail.com

Daniel Montoute is available for advance interviews. High-resolution artwork, artist photography and broadcast-quality video assets are available for media use.