Wednesday 8 July 2015

Layers of paint and love define Kiki Slaughter's studio

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Painter Kiki Slaughter builds her large-scale abstract artworks in the enchanted ruins of a 377-square-foot studio in Atlanta. The space is set within a 19th-century cotton gin factory converted to contemporary art studios and gallery venues, all sitting on 12 acres of land within the heart of the city. The bare, industrial bones of the artist’s studio space offer big windows, hardwood floors, exposed brick, and tall ceilings, of which many surfaces have become layered with pigment, in a similar fashion to her paintings. 

Amongst the surfaces covered with colour and pigment is a set of beautiful vintage French chairs that the artist had picked up at one of her favourite stores. Slaughter then had them covered in her fabric with a fun pop of pink piping.

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

The studio's paint-covered floors are juxtaposed by tall ceilings with exposed rafters. The colour hasn't quite splashed so far, and therefore we find that the ceiling is perhaps the only element of flat, natural colour. On the back of the main wall of the studio is a pair of large paintings titled 'Rebel Rebel' which measure an impressive 5x8 feet apiece (below image).

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

On another wall, a beautifully exposed brick surface, we find a large painting called 'Spring Cleaning'. It hangs above a collection of canvas strips which are soon to be made into a sculptural piece (below image).

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Not far along, a beautifully humble and simple glass container sits quietly with one paint brush in it (below image). It is one of many that the artist uses to mix colors. "You can tell from its opaqueness that a lot of colors have been mixed!," Slaughter says.

There is such humanity and 'realness' in this studio. We take such care to keep our homes clean and pristine, but in reality we need to create and leave our mark. I find that Slaughter's studio is an amazing example of giving a presence and a voice to everyday objects. She hasn't just stuck to expressing herself on canvases, but also given colour and life to glass jars, the studio floor and walls, random rags, and beautiful French furniture.

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Kiki Slaughter's Studio - Nest of Pearls

Source - designsponge.com
Images - designsponge.com

Related Nest of Pearls post - Inspiration for a creative 2013


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