Artist Bio
Kayla Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art in General Fine Arts and Humanistic Studies, and an Art History and Painting minor from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Additionally, she is pursuing an Associate degree in Forensics/Criminal Justice from Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. Smith’s studio work explores and reimagines otherworldly concepts, creating visceral and beautifully macabre mythologies combined with her diaristic incorporation of poetry. Kayla’s work explores notions of dichotomy and subjectivity elevated by ideas of death, cyclicity, mortality, and tragedy.
In May 2024, Smith’s senior theses shows were displayed in MICA’s campus-wide senior exhibition, ArtWalk. Her work was exhibited in a student’s curated show, Breakout: G2G Again, at the Night Owl Gallery from January to February 2024. She had her first Solo exhibition titled BAPTISM in October 2023 at MICA.
In May 2024, Smith’s senior theses shows were displayed in MICA’s campus-wide senior exhibition, ArtWalk. Her work was exhibited in a student’s curated show, Breakout: G2G Again, at the Night Owl Gallery from January to February 2024. She had her first Solo exhibition titled BAPTISM in October 2023 at MICA.
Artist Statement
I am a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller. My work embraces the essence of poetics and the beauty of materiality in my exploration of narrative and conceptual world-building. Through diaristic sketch booking and research practices, my art explores new mythologies embodying dichotomy, visceral beauty, and surrealistic macabre.
My practice examines concepts of life and death, the otherworldly, presence and absence, memorial and ritual, martyrdom, and penance. These ideas are explored through complex combinations of sculpture, painting, poetry, installation, material manipulation, and experimentation. The materiality expands my thinking into sculptural and poetic avenues.
Rather than seeking answers, my work transforms my questions into interconnected narratives through symbolism and repeated motifs. Through these interweavings, the presence of allegory further informs the themes that enrapture my work, how it presents itself, and the mysteries and stories that are told within it.
My practice examines concepts of life and death, the otherworldly, presence and absence, memorial and ritual, martyrdom, and penance. These ideas are explored through complex combinations of sculpture, painting, poetry, installation, material manipulation, and experimentation. The materiality expands my thinking into sculptural and poetic avenues.
Rather than seeking answers, my work transforms my questions into interconnected narratives through symbolism and repeated motifs. Through these interweavings, the presence of allegory further informs the themes that enrapture my work, how it presents itself, and the mysteries and stories that are told within it.
Photo Credits
Designer:
Venus - IG: @venus_loves_vengeance
Website: https://www.venusstanton.com/
Photographers:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Miracle Kendall - IG: @districtimage
David Daye - IG: @davidphotos_art
Ke Lianghong - IG: @farawayke
Makeup Artist:
Arielle Alexander - IG: @a.a.arte
Back to TopDesigner:
Venus - IG: @venus_loves_vengeance
Website: https://www.venusstanton.com/
Photographers:
Mathilde Mujanayi - IG: @mujanayiismyname
Website: https://mmujanayi.myportfolio.com
Miracle Kendall - IG: @districtimage
David Daye - IG: @davidphotos_art
Ke Lianghong - IG: @farawayke
Makeup Artist:
Arielle Alexander - IG: @a.a.arte
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