Lifestyle Art

44 Artist Kelley Prevard Photo by Sparkle Prevard

BREAKING BARRIERS

One Atlantic City artist is making her valuable imprint on the art world.

By Michael Cagno

he question used to be simple and straightforward. What does it mean to be an artist? Today, it is much more complex, especially given the socially-politically charged climate. What may be a necessary key is empathy. Artists have become the “tip of the spear” in questioning stereotypes and roles while they explore conventional attributes such as gender, ethnicity, sexuality, ancestry, and social identity. Regardless of race, female artists are often overlooked in Western art. As you know, there is no secret regarding T

the art industry largely being a white, male hegemony. One only need look at those represented in galleries and museums across the nation. Sure, you can pick up a Western Art textbook and read small excerpts about people like the Italian Renaissance female artist Artemisia Gentileschi, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who recently had a blockbuster exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and American contemporary photographer Cindy Sherman. Other wellknown female artists that may get a mention include the

feminist group Guerrilla Girls, and Vietnam Memorial designer Maya Lin. One might question than about female African-American artists? You have Faith Ringgold, Kara Walker, and Kerry James Marshall, but you most likely won’t see their names in the book, not yet anyway. A New Jersey female artist and Atlantic City resident, Kelley Prevard, is making a valuable imprint on the art world. Kelley is a self-taught artist, born and raised in Atlantic City creating thought-provoking pieces influenced

Magnitude and Bond, a 10-story mural recently completed by Kelley and a small group of artists

Above, Patterns of Oppression; Below Not On My Watch

by social, historical, and cultural events. “Through my artwork I attempt to bridge the gap, to humanize the dehumanized,” said Prevard. “So that we can connect to people on an emotional level, and not see them as stereotypes, statistics, or caricatures, but see them as fully realized human beings.” As an artist, she encourages reflection and critical thinking with the aspiration of creating dialogue. Full of vibrant colors, textures and patterns, her paintings

Levander Photo by Todd Johnson

are healing and transformative. Kelley is driven by expressing a visual statement that provides a platform for people of color. Her narratives illustrate stories that evoke reflection and purpose. Today, we are experiencing a cultural shift. There is a huge push nationally to recognize more female artists, especially those in the minority. As an African-American, female artist, the journey to have a voice is critical. On the local level, Kelley is pushing the art world to be more inclusive and to recognize narratives that push the boundaries of social identity. “Most of my art is centered around the nuances of being both ‘black’ and ‘women’ in this society. Black women are usually at the forefront of many movements but never quite make it to textbooks. Their stories are normally erased and forgotten,” states Kelley. In the painting, “Pattern of Oppression” you see the repeating representation of black-face mammy. It represents the legacy of racism in America and how it is perpetuated through different avenues especially, the media. The woman’s frustration is in her inability to escape these generational stereotypes and caricatures of who black people are. It becomes a part of the fabric of who she is,

a black oppressed woman. “Not on My Watch” is about resistance with a focus on taking a stand against oppression. “The woman depicted is protecting our stories and the humanity of black bodies,” says Kelley. Working with the “A Womb of Violet Collective,” Kelley was one of a small group of artists that recently completed a 10-story mural in Newark. “Magnitude and Bond” was a collaborative mural located on Halsey Street in Newark’s historic downtown and featured the late Matriarch of Newark Arts, Gladys Barker Grauer, and the late poet Breya Knight. The imagery celebrates their significant contributions to the Newark arts and poetry community, highlighting the intergenerational and communal connection as a unifying force and source of power for healing. When asked about her purpose moving forward, Kelley says, “I think my purpose is to continue to tell these stories so at the very least we can push passed the stereotypes and caricatures that exist for women of color, and at best change the very systems that depend on continuing these damaging narratives.” She wants to make a name for herself in the art world while sharing her voice on multiple platforms; mural arts, fine arts, teaching, and community work. Mostly, Kelley would like to continue to create art with a message, “I see myself breaking barriers and showcasing my art in new places around the world.” Recently, she has been featured in the “Moments of Love” art exhibit in Washington, D.C., and the “Black Art Matters” exhibit in New York City. Artists like Kelley Prevard are redefining the role of an artist while constructing a sense of who we are as individuals, as a society, and as a nation. Today’s culture is becoming informed and influenced by style, technology, politics, and economics. Female artists such as Kelley Prevard are demarlginalizing the wider, more inclusive focus by creating art with empathy. Art is a catalyst for social change and can be a powerful instrument to bring people together. n

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