THERME ART’s HILDEGARD VON BINGEN SYMPOSIUM 

Photo courtesy of Therme Art. 

At the outset of April I went to Meisenheimer Hof  for the Hildegard von Bingen Symposium hosted by Therme Art. I was the opening keynote speaker and presented on my practice as it relates to those of Hildegard von Bingen, Emma Kunz and Hilma af Klint. They’re all interdisciplinary, philosophical, spiritual healers and doers whom I’ve been really enjoying researching and getting to know. Hilma I know most intimately—her work set the stage for my solo exhibition, “Moving Weight” opening tomorrow at CFHILL in Stockholm.

The symposium could not have been more enlightening or rejuvenating; joining the panel with brilliant Artistic Director of Serpentine Galleries, Hans Ulrich Obrist, moderated by Therme Art CEO and curator, Mikolaj Sekutowicz, was a joy and something I hope to repeat.  Linked here is a video overview and recap of the symposium. Thank you again to the whole Therme Art team for having me and hosting this incredible event.

ART BASEL UNLIMITED

Since the symposium, I’ve primarily been working from Amsterdam. I came over here to build a sculpture for the Unlimited curated section opening at Art Basel. I knew I wanted to make this work in Europe, and that I wanted to make it even bigger than what I’d done as the Rubell Museum’s Artist in Residence in Spring of 2021. That intention has carried me from start to finish and I’m really proud to say—we’re doing it! The work, By means other than the known senses, will debut in Basel, Switzerland this June with Vielmetter LA. 

Above is a look into the Amsterdam studio. 

SOLO EXHIBITION: “MOVING WEIGHT” AT CFHILL

In the meantime: as I mentioned, I’m opening “Moving Weight” an exhibition where I am in dialogue with Hilma af Klint at CFHILL in Stockholm, Sweden. The sculptures in this show are all the result of gut reactions. I wrote this statement about the exhibition, but the takeaway is really: expansion = yes, contraction = no. I hope this show honors Hilma’s constant striving to do what she had to do; her dedication to intuition. It’ll be open April 29 – May 27. If you happen to be in the area, stop in for the opening. I’ll be hosting an artist talk. 

Above photos by Elisabeth Bernstein

Sound Rays, 2022. Paint skin, metal. 

The Circular in Her, 2022. Paint skin, metal. 

GROUP EXHIBITION: “SET IT OFF” AT THE  PARRISH MUSEUM

I’ll also have three new works, including one outdoor work, at the Parrish Museum as part of “Set it Off,” the group exhibition curated by Deux Femmes Noires, Racquel Chevremont and Mickalene Thomas. The exhibition will include artists Leilah Babirye, Torkwase Dyson, February James, Karyn Olivier, Kameelah Janan Rasheed and myself, and will run from May 22 through July 24, 2022.

 Here’s some text about the exhibition: 

“Set It Off  is Chevremont and Thomas’s third curatorial project together. They were drawn to the thoughtful integration of architecture and landscape at the Parrish, and embraced the opportunity to consider the ways artists are using and manipulating space to explore identity and place today—a theme that runs through each of these artists’ practices. The title, Set It Off—to do something significant, to do something with intensity or with a hurricane-like force, or to change an atmosphere for the better—points to the varied, impactful work featured in the exhibition. Chevremont and Thomas showcase these six women who, each in their own right, have “set it off,” creating bold, compelling work that pushes far beyond the perceived limitations of their chosen genres and mediums.”

If you want to follow the adventure more closely, check out my stories on instagram. Sending love from Europe!

Warmest, 

Kennedy