People are complex; a composition of influences and experiences, ever changing, evolving and reinventing; a collection of layers and fine details; a sum of their parts.

My work is much the same as I examine identity and what constitutes identity. The influences of the people we know, expectations of family, religion and society and the impact they have on who we are. It is a visual examination of self that references the dualities that exist within cultural values. I am working to explore and understand the duality of my own expectations reflecting them against the apparent contradictions within these ideals.

My work is a study in layers either three dimensionally or two, it is composed of many parts and various processes; it is a circular process seemingly without end. In this way my work is much like identity ; a collection of layers and fine details; a sum of its parts.

“About Face”
These images are compositions that involve many alterations and evolutions. They are created from photographic images that have been hand altered either before scanning or after printing then hand pulled onto chiffon or photographic papers. They are digitally layered with scanned oil composites such as "When I get old" or layered in shadow box type frames with found objects ("Merg"). The shadow box constructions are composed of reassembled photographic images, set behind a hand pulled print on chiffon and sometimes combined with found objects. By layering every vantage point presents a variation of the image which possesses an enormous amount of depth both visually and ethereally.

"About Face Casts"
This work continues to examine identity with three dimensional assemblages which utilize a ¼ scale clay sculpture. After creating and drying the clay I produced a rubber mold from which I am able to produce multiple encaustic (wax) casts. I have yet to use a cast in its entirety as I continue to disassemble then reassemble parts of the same. Much like my photographic images the casts are layered assembled and combined with other objects and materials. They can be ambiguous like “Scribe” which is concealed behind a pane of glass painted with oil or in combination with photographic works like “He Wrote” where a casting along with waxed novel pages are visible through the chiffon image. Either way the work as well as its meaning has a tendency to sneak up on you.

“Home Ec”
This on going series of work employs elements and materials that integrate both male and female idioms into one statement regarding their respective secular skills. The work is often constructed using actual objects such as a ladder made from rolling pins (Glass Ceiling) or in combination with other media such as a neck tie made from hair and photographic image (Woman's Work). Home Ec is about the ideal of home and how it is affected by cultural values and religion to form identity. It is a study of the imprinting of 1950’s values reflected against the empowering statements of the 60’s and 70’s.

“All About Eve”
All About Eve also portrays identity through the study of materials. It was the first series in which I used multiple wax casts from a plaster mold. There were three original clay sculptures from which 11 were cast from one, 2 from another and only one from the third (Pin Point). Once cast the form was carved into then plied with organic and man-made elements and materials. Juxtaposing these materials allowed the creation of symbolic associations and the examination of our inner spaces. My purpose in this series was to expose the private self and reveal our impact on and link between the internal and external landscapes. The molds and the original clay sculptures are very much worn so it is unlikely that more Eve's will be created.

"Small Work"
I have been told that I am planting seeds - see what grows. I consider these small works to be my sketch book a place that I need to go every so often to work thing out and be spontaneous. I have done this a few times and each time has produced up to 30 small works. It is interesting to see what elements and themes keep reoccurring. This process is very reassuring and confusing; reassuring to see a consistent tone; confusing when I find a new direction and dare to tread.

 

Being a multi-disciplined artist has imparted an unconventional approach to my work and has allowed a cross over of my creative sensibilities; producing a consistently distinct tone and continuous style recognizable as my own. It is the combination of studio practices that enables my study of overlapping gender roles, duality of expectations and ultimately what constitutes identity.

 

Kim started her career in interior design and established a design firm in 1983 specializing in store planning and image development. Throughout these years, she pursued formal art instruction through a varied curriculum, studying under many established artists at The Alberta College of Art & Design and The University of Calgary. Needing to express herself, for herself, and break away from the need-fulfilling function of design, Kim's years in design has enabled her to now fully devote herself to her art career. Kim, a native Calgarian, has been exhibited at The Triangle Gallery, Profiles Public Art Gallery and Harcourt House, as well as, R & F Gallery in New York state and has twice been included in the collection of The Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Artfirm Gallery represents Kim in Calgary.

 

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