When I think of Art

When I think of Art I think beyond painting, sculpture and drawing.

I think of all things crafted by hand and mind that are consciously intended to elicit viewer recognition or response.

I think of Art in the encompassing way symbolism and beautification seem to be a part of the West African cultures I've studied.

My work is informed by contemporary fiber, historical textile art, and traditional West African textile objects and practices (techniques, materials, and purposes). I'm especially interested in material culture as it manifests in divinatory objects, quilts and other objects used by women in everyday life.

During my studies I have experimented with numerous techniques. However, three things have been consistent: my use of fabric and thread as my primary media, my interest in the history of women, especially those of African descent, as theme, and my use of collage techniques to pull my thoughts together.

My work is primarily collaged fabrics (hand-dyed, painted, printed, and commercial) with hand embroidery, machine stitching, and embellishments of found, gifted, and chosen items.

RESUME

NAME: Gwendolyn LeJune Kelly

EDUCATION
& TRAINING: B.F.A.,
University of Louisville, Kentucky
1997

JURIED SHOWS: Water Tower Annual
Louisville Visual Art Association, 1997

Small Works International
Amos Eno Gallery, New York, 1999

Kentucky Quilts: Roots and Wings
Kentucky Folk Art Museum, 2000

FiberArt 2000
Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN

Woman Force of the New Millennium
Living Arts and Science Center, Lexington, KY 2000

AWARDS: Artist Enrichment Grant s
Kentucky Foundation for Women, 1998, 2000, 2002

Alderman George Unseld Purchase Prize
Seventh Annual African American Invitational Art Exhibition, Actors Theatre, Louisville,

First Place Award
Visions of Peace and Survival, P.E.A.C.C. Program, University of Louisville

HGTV interview

View my feminist art at Old City Cool.

Gwendolyn L. Kelly received her MA & BFA degrees from the University of Louisville. Some of her exhibitions include the Water Tower Annual; the African American Invitational Art Exhibition at Actors Theatre; the Small Works International at Amos Eno Gallery in New York; Kentucky Quilts: Roots and Wings a traveling exhibition of the Kentucky Folk Art Museum; and Woman Force of the New Millennium at The Living Arts and Science Center in Lexington. She has work included in Fiberarts Design Book Six and Seven published by Lark Books. Gwen has been awarded three Artist Enrichment grants from the Kentucky Foundation for Women and is active in the arts community of Louisville, KY.