Kelly Carámbula. Photos: Nick Wang
Kelly Carámbula focuses on clay, fiber, metal, paint and wood, exploring themes of control and imperfection and incorporating elements of surprise, which can move viewers to examine the piece from a different perspective. “First and foremost, my art is an extension and expression of myself,” she says. “It is joyful, full of life and vibrancy.”
“I see my work as a continuation of myself that embraces the fullness of being a woman, a mother, an artist,” Carámbula says. “I create space for emotion and complexity that language alone cannot express. Through making, I uncover and explore the joys and hardships of life.”
Carámbula’s work begins with sketching forms, echoing her emotions. “These drawings are the vocabulary of shapes, textures and colors necessary for expressing feelings in a range of mediums,” she says. “The physicality of my work in clay, fiber and metal all bring a sense of the hand. Each piece is a tactile conversation with the material—its character, its tradition, its history—embodying an acceptance of things that are both in and out of our control.”
The wellspring of Carámbula’s artistry arrived nearly at her beginning. Raised by a single mother, she found herself alone a fair amount of time. “My mom always made sure I had art supplies and gave me free rein to paint my room however I wanted, including my door and ceiling fan,” she says. “I also watched my mom do art projects in the evenings and weekends, so she was definitely an influence.”
The artist, who also runs Excelsior’s The Polka Dot House, also points to other influencers. “As I’ve gotten older, I’m incredibly inspired by the female artists who’ve come before me. Ruth Asawa, Sheila Hicks, Gego, the quilters of Gee’s Bend and Corita Kent to name a few—all women who came a few generations before me but made (and innovated) art because it was what they were meant to do,” she says.
“I believe art helps. It’s that basic,” Carámbula says. “When people step into my gallery, their faces light up. Art allows us to express feelings and emotions that we don’t often talk about when we run into people at the grocery store or soccer games. By creating opportunities to connect through art, we build community that has compassion and empathy. We also learn that we are less alone than it can sometimes feel, taking time to meet in person, to slow down, do something with our minds and bodies is a real treat, and it helps us connect to people on a deeper level.”
The Polka Dot House
Instagram: @the.polka.dot.house
