Kara Mshinda

Kara Mshinda is an abstract artist with roots in photography and collage art who contributes to current visual dialogues that shape diverse and changing meanings of otherness and art. Mshinda uses accessible methods like freehand drawing, collage, and lo-fi photography to develop visual narratives. Her interest in using such methods arises from her anthropological curiosity about the “life cycle” of disposable materials and print media. Born and raised in Ohio, Mshinda graduated from The University of Akron with a degree in Interdisciplinary Anthropology. She later relocated to Philadelphia to pursue her Master of Arts in the Anthropology of Visual Communication program at Temple University. Her graduate work focused on the visual language socialization of a community of graffiti writers in Philadelphia. In addition to creating artwork, Mshinda is a professor at Temple University where she teaches on the themes of race, identity, and artistic practice.

2007 Master of Arts, Anthropology Temple University Philadelphia, PA
Specialization: Anthropology of Visual Communication

2002 Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Anthropology The University of Akron Akron, OH

May 2021
Tiger Strikes Asteroid: It feels like the first time, Mana Contemporary, Chicago, IL

March 2021
Distant Neighbors, Artists from the Tiger Strikes Asteroid Network, Eckert Art Gallery, Millersville University, Millersville, PA

January 2021
15th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, William Way LGBT Community Center, Juror's Award Prize Winner

​March 2020
Embodiment: Figure in Art. 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA.

​May 2019
HERsolo | Kara Mshinda. Philly Art Collective. Philadelphia, PA

​May 2019
JUICE, MOVES Gallery. Philadelphia, PA.

​April 2019
I KAN DO DAT. Rush Arts Philadelphia and Upper Darby Art Gallery. Curated by Danny Simmons and Noah Smalls.

​February 2019
QT Noir Arts, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA

March 2018
Creative Women of Lansdowne. 20*20 Gallery. Lansdowne, PA.

​June 2016
Re|MIX: Finding a New Visual Dialect;” solo art show. A-Space, Philadelphia, PA

​August 2015
Absolutely Abstract, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA