Karen's artwork has a bit of a retro feel. She seems to work instictively--there are many different looks and techniques used, like geometric shapes and organic ones, drawing, painting, and all kinds of materials. There is clearly a versatility to her approach!
Karen Kang
www.karenkangart.com
Santa Monica, CA (originally from Chicago)
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Recycled and random materials that make a unified whole.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: Pretty much everything. I like papers of all kinds, found wood, fabric, thread, paint, old photographs, book pages... the list could go on and on! I love the feel and texture of different kinds of materials, and I like to work solely with my hands (so nothing digital, computer-generated, etc.)
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: Well, I made tons of art as a kid, and some of those projects could have been considered collages. But I didn't really discover and identify with the medium until 2 years ago when I took a collage class. Afterwards, I knew I had found something that I really connected with and I wanted to make more.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I used to be a social worker but now just make art.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: No.
Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: I like layering incomplete images on top of one another to create an interesting new image. I like combining old things and making it look modern. I'm very spontaneous when I create--I never plan or sketch anything out in advance. I just start putting stuff on wood or paper and see where it leads.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: Can't say I have one. I resonate with each piece I've made for very different reasons.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: Lisa Congdon, Erik Otto, Steve X. Craig.
Thanks Karen!
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