ARTIST STATEMENT
I use my work as a means to navigate the present moment in relation to past trauma, using it as a platform for creative exploration. I delve into what the body withholds from present consciousness, finding beauty in utilizing it as a foundation for my artistic endeavors, giving these experiences life outside of my own-person. Through my practice, I formulate a more coherent sense of self, becoming increasingly aware of the struggles within my family’s lineage and my abilities to connect with others. With my deep fascination of the body, seeing it as a vehicle of the “self” and our emotions, I use anatomical shapes, viscera, and tumors crafted from textiles, latex, and clay to explore these themes. As I create in congruence with my emotions, vulnerability, and pain, I am particularly drawn to soft materials, as they allow these experiences to take on organic forms. Textiles serve as my primary medium within my large-scale installations. I view this as an opportunity to delve into my experiences with generational trauma, drawing from my family’s history where quilting served as a lifelong means of connection amidst our history of abuse, neglect, and sorrow. By engaging with my work, I intend for individuals to share in my personal vulnerability, creating a space for others to join in this introspection. My work intends to spark curiosity and provoke questions about our interactions with trauma and the visceral elements I portray.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kenzi Rayelle (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist currently residing and working in Milwaukee, WI. Deeply influenced by practical effects and psychosocial development theory, Rayelle has developed a unique and tongue-in-cheek approach to representing the impact of trauma. She uses a blend of sculpture, poetry, photography, and mixed media to navigate the realities of the past and present self; finding solace through creation. Originally from Iowa, Rayelle earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from The University of Iowa in 2021. Since relocating to Milwaukee, she has collaborated closely with various arts organizations, including Sculpture Milwaukee, where she served as the head of Design and Marketing for their 2022-24 exhibitions. Notably, she contributed to “Nature Doesn’t Know About Us,” guest curated by Ugo Rondinone. Rayelle’s artwork has been featured in numerous galleries across the Midwest, such as Public Space One in Iowa City and Milwaukee Artist Resource Network in Milwaukee, WI. In 2023, she received the Mary Nohl Suitcase Grant for her solo-exhibition “Innerconnectivity I.” Rayelle is also curating an annual interactive group exhibition relating to themes of her thesis. Featuring works from local non-binary and women artists, the exhibition delves into how individuals process their past selves, memories, and vulnerability. Each installation, situated within a room of a constructed house, serves as a point of connection and understanding, taking a step into the vulnerable realities crafted by each artist.
© Kenzi Rayelle