Karen Powell

ARTIST STATEMENT

My paintings are the visual representation of my voice. They are the language I use to convey my childhood memories through mixed media, vintage photos and visual storytelling.

With the integration of vintage photography, my work breathes life into universal childhood experiences. Themes of children playing with friends, solitary moments of quiet grace and undeniable dignity are evoked in my work in a way that spans gender, ethnicity, race and nationality. My work celebrates the African-American experience in a positive and absorbing way not commonly seen.

Ironically, this method compels me to rely strictly on intuition and instinct. My most recent works combine abstracts, collage and random marks, which is the antithesis of the directive I was given as a child to 'always color in the lines'.

My inner voice now tells me there are no lines, there is only spontaneity, energy and instinct that compels me to 'NEVER color in the lines'.

Karen has come full circle with her visual voice. She has a B.A. in Fine Arts from Fisk University and attended the University of Chicago's Graduate Program in Visual Arts.

After an extensive career as an award-winning graphic designer and art director, Karen returned to the fine arts: her passion. Her work has been featured on Saatchi Art, the Black Entertainment TV Network, Black Art in America, and The Museum of Science and Industry. Karen exhibits extensively in diverse galleries throughout the United States and her work is in private collections both here and abroad.

GALLERIES

Peg Alston Fine Art, New York, NY
Curator Gallery, New York, NY
National Black Fine Art Show, New York, NY
Savacou Gallery, New York, NY
Agora Gallery, New York, NY
Cousen Rose Gallery, Oak Bluffs, MA
Renaissance Art Gallery, Boston, MA
Partners HealthCare, Somerville, MA (Permanent Collection)
Black Art in America, Philadelphia, PA
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL
Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Gallery Guichard, Chicago, IL
Tilford Art Group, Los Angeles, CA
Joysmith Gallery, Memphis, TN
Avisca Fine Art, Marietta, GA
Embrace: National Black Fine Art Show, Atlanta, GA
Studio Clout, Atlanta, GA
Alki Gallery, Seattle, WA