Artist Statement
Though my art forms and mediums have transformed over time, my pieces have remained a key ingredient to who I am. My most recent works have been acrylic on canvas boards, focusing on the nude female figure. I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember. However, I rekindled my passion and made creating a priority again during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time I lost a lot. In an effort to move past this loss, I’ve explored transformative re-growth as a concept in my art through depictions of plants. Blooms of leaves, vines, and flowers growing from the person I thought I was. Completing these paintings kept me hopeful through this dark time in our world. Within the last year, I’ve participated in more than ten national shows. In addition to my paintings, I also enjoy embroidery, crochet, and cross-stitch.
Background
My name is Kora. I am a Queer, Hard of Hearing, Kansas City-based artist. I currently hold a Masters of Social Work from the University of Kansas and an undergrad in social work from the University of Central Missouri. I've also been accepted into the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Kansas starting in June of 2023. While I love art, I feel my true purpose is to fight for social justice. I am also pursuing a Masters of Public Administration. My career aspirations are to work in public policy and political reform. The intersectionality of the different identities I hold gives me a unique perspective on the world around me. Being part of marginalized communities means facing adversity while merely existing. It is my interest to be a voice and bring equity to the communities I represent.