KELLY MATHEWS ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is a visual reaction to our absurd inability to relate to each other simply as human beings. We inherently register race, sex, age and ethnicity before we delve beneath the surface to the core of who someone IS.
By working with encaustic I am able to build many layers, just as there are many layers to every one of us. As you move closer and look deep you are able to see the whole picture, just as you must get to know someone on the inside to truly know who they are.
Kelly Mathews is an artist from Chicago, IL. She was born in small town Iowa where she pursued two things, art and Arabian horses. After receiving her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kelly spent the next 22 years professionally training and showing Arabian horses. Her students have won numerous top National honors in the United States and Canada. Retiring in 2014 from professional riding, Kelly has returned full time to her art. Primarily using encaustic and photography, her work deals with social and political issues.
Education
1992 BFA, Kansas City Art Institute
Solo Exhibitions
2017 The New Studio, November 10th – December 31st
Juried Exhibitions
2019
All Politics are Local, Jackson Junge Gallery, Chicago, IL
2018
FEATURED ARTIST – Project RESIST FEAR, Art Center Highland Park
Political Statements, Chimera Loft, Evanston, IL
Artprize 2018, Corridor Coffee, Grand Rapids, MI
Pride and Prejudice, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
Insights II, Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago, IL
Resist/Embrace, KYO Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Journey to America, Highland Park Art Center, Highland Park,IL Juror Montserrat Alsina
2017
Beneath the Surface, Highland Park Art Center, Highland Park, IL. Curated by Caren Helene Rudman
Sketchbooks, 33 Contemporary Gallery, ZouB Art Center, Chicago, IL
Expo Chicago Week, Mars Gallery, Chicago, IL
Political Ramifications, Hairpin Art Center, Chicago, IL. Curated by Gretchen Henninger
2016 160 Degrees, Gallery 2506, Chicago, IL. Curated by Kathleen Burnett
2015 4th Annual Encaustic Exhibition, Morpho Gallery, Chicago, IL. Curated by David Leigh
1993 Iowa Artists, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, IA. Curated by Deborah Levinton
1992 Screening – That Month before Fall, Kansas City Film Festival, Kansas City, MO
Screening – Separation of Thoughts, Sony International Film Festival, San Francisco, New York, Tokyo.
Group Exhibitions
2019
Humanity Rising II, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
In View, Art Center of Highland Park, Highland Park, IL
2018
Naked Truth, Old Courthouse, Woodstock, IL
Project – RESIST FEAR, 33 Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, IL
2017
Undefinable: Woman’s Health in America, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
Visions, Open Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL
2016
Connect, University of Chicago, Hyde Park, IL
Perfecting Your Craft, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL
Various Private Collections
