Meet Kilmany-Jo Liversage | Urban Contemporary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kilmany-Jo Liversage and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kilmany-Jo, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by order within the chaos of my process making, when painting. I resonate towards the female form and paint portraits of woman with conviction and power.The urban landscape of my surroundings are incorporated into my compositions through rhythmic colour and mark making.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
“I feel strongly about the role women play in our society and am interested in portraying the strength and Femme fatalism of women in my portraits and still-lives.The role of Matriarch has gained impetus through the digital-age . Empowerment ,transformation and gender-equality has created a global shift in thought on how femininity is perceived .Thus, reestablishing the blueprint and narrative of how contemporary woman are portrayed.” Spray paint is my medium of choice which I assuredly deploy, along with acrylics, to challenge the traditional delineations between fine art and urban or street art culture. Fusing Renaissance portraiture with a strident urban sensibility, what emerges from my studio are penetrating portraits and unruly floral still lifes in a psychedelic palette of luminous pinks, blues and fluorescent yellows and oranges. My focus is on “the here and now, on inner-city alleyways and sites of both decay and gentrification, where the tag, squiggle and scrawl of graffiti carry as much gravitas and value as the high art of my forebears.”*

The journey in my career is still a life journey.Sometimes it is easy and other times not. The willingness to look past the ego is an ongoing journey for me.Re-invention is a foe or friend at times.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

A visit to the African American Contemporary Museum to see the exhibition “If you look hard enough, you can see our future”Its an exhibition of South African Art, curated by Laurie Ann Farrell.
Dallas ArtFair and an opening evening at Daisha Board Gallery was fabulous!
A visit to the Dallas Contemporary Museum.
A visit to the Green Family Foundation’s home to see their extensive art collection.
A visit to Fort Worth
Eat at great TexMex restaurants

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Most of all …my tribe,Pierre,Kianna and Dax! The continuing journey throughout my career has had many supports and mentorships.Particularly ,the Spier Arts Trust as well as the Nandos team who have recognised my creative aspirations, as well as my galleries and fellow artists 😉

Instagram: kilmany_jo

Facebook: Kilmany-Jo Liversage Artist

Youtube: Kilmany-Jo Liversage