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ABOUT

Kelli Scott Kelley was born in Baton Rouge, LA. She earned an MFA from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her work is primarily comprised of mixed -media narrative paintings, drawings and objects. She has also collaborated with her husband, composer Bill Kelley, on surreal performances and video pieces.

Kelley has exhibited and lectured throughout the United States, and beyond, including: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, Galerie Califi at ArtMill Center for SustainableCreativityinMirenice, Czech Republic, Bangalore University in Bangalore, India, the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston, and Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder, CO. Her work is represented by Koelsch Gallery in Houston, Soren Christensen Gallery in New Orleans, and Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art.

Kelley authored a book featuring her narrative artwork entitled Accalia and the Swamp Monster in 2014. A solo exhibit of the work opened in at the LSU Museum of art and then traveled to Bradbury Museum of Art, the Jung Center Gallery in Houston, the Masur Museum of Art and the Michelson Art Museum. Her work is featured in the permanent collections of the LSU Museum of Art, Tyler Museum of Art, East Baton Rouge Parish Library Special Collections and The Eugenia Summer Gallery Mississippi University for Women.

Kelli Scott Kelley is a Professor of Painting in the School of Art at Louisiana State University.

 

 

 

   
       
       
       
 

BENJAMIN M. HICKEY
Curator

Kelley is clearly an active participant in the tradition of myth making and appropriating archetypal tropes. The clarity of Kelley’s message is important in a culture, legally, politically, and otherwise, that enables actors to hide their true intentions. At the heart of them, each of Kelley’s works are parables, a means of communicating a moral lesson. Kelley’s work is decidedly feminine. Not only is the heroine is often based on Kelley herself, but her paintings are executed on re-purposed antique linens, handcrafts historically associated with women and domesticity.

Kelley’s work feels archetypal, as though we are familiar with its narrative arc and imagery. This is the case because, as a society, we know enough about Beowulf, Artemis, anthropomorphic creatures, Joan of Arc, and other references to intuitively understand Kelley’s various nods to bygone eras. She incorporates a sense of calm repose into her characters, lending them a timeless, classical quality. It is important to say that Kelley’s singular images create meaning on a deeply personal level, but also use art history as a creative foil. This is so because she can co-opt known conventions to ensure her intentions are understood. Elements of Hieronymus Bosch, Giotto, Paula Rego, and Maria de los Remedios Varo Uranga’s work often serve as inspiration.

Kelli Scott Kelley’s work creates a clear worldview, identifies a variety of actors, and asserts her moral authority. Hopefully her artwork’sequal measures of timeliness and timelessness enable Kelley’s work to occupy its rightful place in America’s imagination and visual culture.

   
         
         
 

KELLI SCOTT KELLEY
Artist Statement

In my work subconscious worlds populated by hybrid beings are woven into dreamlike tales. Figures, animals, and objects appear in metaphorical narratives which explore humankind’s connections, disconnections and impact upon the natural world. The artworks are inspired by the things I see, feel and experience; both the personal and the sociopolitical. I am moved by the exquisite beauty in the world, as well as the absurdity and ugliness.

Since 2010, I have painted on re-purposed domestic linens. The surfaces reference the history of women’s handicrafts and allow for a more ecological art making practice. These fabrics, often hand stitched by the original owner, and aged with use, hold stories and histories, offering inspiration and visual bread crumbs. In addition, the pretty feminine cloths serve to juxtapose the sometimes-dark imagery.

Ideas for these artworks comes from my personal observations and contemplations, but my hope is that the work will be experienced in a poetic way, and that viewers will have an intuitive response based on their own experiences and ways of seeing.