Kimberly Clemmons

Chicago, USA

Growing up in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I was surrounded by an incessant beat.  Trains passing routinely by my family’s apartment, homeboys in their hoomptey’s blaring their fave tunes, the call of young men in the street jockeying for various hierarchies,  daily visits to the beach even in the winter, sirens from the firehouse a block away…my life as a young Chicagoan.  I am not completely sure how all this affects my art almost 25 years later, but it had to.  

My most significant influence is humans experiencing various states of injustice. Artistically, my influences are Rothko and my brother, Derric.  My art does not favor Derric’s, however since I had never picked up a brush before this period, I think I was taking some mental notes watching him as a child.  He always encouraged my creativity and this is priceless.