A Studio Visit to Kelly Carámbula

Inbal Ithachi Hayon, Arts & Bites, February 7, 2022

The first time I came across Kelly Carámbula's work, a San Francisco-based artist and sculptor, was back in 2018. It was in one of my favorite galleries in the city, Rare device. I immediately fell in love with her ceramic collages, the abstract shapes and her unique language of color, and wrote about her, in the very first days of my blog. It's really nice to see the evolution of her work from that first exhibition to the work she does today.

 

A few weeks ago I finally met her in person, such a happy and colorful person, that glows from the fact that she is doing the thing she likes the most: art.

I was amazed and inspired by Kelly's stories and her joyful studio, please join me in my interview with Kelly:

 

Where were you born and raised? Where are you based today and how do you feel it influences your work?

 

I was born and raised in Southwest Michigan. My mom was a single mother and I was an only child—art was my outlet. My mom always encouraged my creativity whether it was painting her Avon boxes or sewing curtains for my room, she always made sure I had the supplies I needed. At the age of 20, just as I was entering art school, my mother passed away. 

 

Today I live in San Francisco, CA, which actually feels full circle. Just before my mom died, her doctor told her to take the trip she’d always wanted to go on. She chose San Francisco and brought me along. Eleven years after that trip, my husband and I decided to move to SF after living in Brooklyn for 9 years. Today, I hike along the same ocean my mom and I drove past and I feel connected to her. 

 

I love this city—the color of the buildings, the ever-changing landscapes, the plant life, the accessibility to nature, the great art museums—it just constantly inspires me. I still can’t quite believe I get to live here. 

 

I was amazed and inspired by Kelly's stories and her joyful studio, please join me in my interview with Kelly:

 

Where were you born and raised? Where are you based today and how do you feel it influences your work?

 
I was born and raised in Southwest Michigan. My mom was a single mother and I was an only child—art was my outlet. My mom always encouraged my creativity whether it was painting her Avon boxes or sewing curtains for my room, she always made sure I had the supplies I needed. At the age of 20, just as I was entering art school, my mother passed away. 
 
Today I live in San Francisco, CA, which actually feels full circle. Just before my mom died, her doctor told her to take the trip she’d always wanted to go on. She chose San Francisco and brought me along. Eleven years after that trip, my husband and I decided to move to SF after living in Brooklyn for 9 years. Today, I hike along the same ocean my mom and I drove past and I feel connected to her. 
 
I love this city—the color of the buildings, the ever-changing landscapes, the plant life, the accessibility to nature, the great art museums—it just constantly inspires me. I still can’t quite believe I get to live here. 
 
Which artists influence and inspire you?
 
 I love the work of the Gee’s Bend Quilters, Sheila Hicks, Sister Corita Kent, Joan Mitchell, Ellsworth Kelly, and Ruth Asawa. I also love the artwork coming out of Creative Growth in Oakland and my kids art—both have a sense of freedom that I’m always trying to capture in my work. 
 
 What does your creation process look like and what is your favorite part?
 
 Since clay has so many processes, there are many opportunities for creativity. With my current body of work, which is inspired by my experience with Motherhood, I’m working very intuitively. I open a bag of clay and simply make and play and experiment. The clay dries a bit and I’ll refine it and fire it. After the final glaze fire, I sort my clay pieces (either collage or beads) and let them live together for a bit. Each individual piece is a work of art in itself, but then I compile them into either clay collages or strings of “worry beads”. I have very little preconceived notion as to what the final piece will look like (often just the color theme and size). What I love about this process is that I can fully trust my gut and know that all of these pieces with their quirks and flaws and beauty will turn into something wonderful. 
 
 Thank you Kelly for sharing your exciting story with us. In the beginning of my visit we talked about mothehood and I really connected to your words as a mother and a maker myself.
 

Kelly's current body of work is inspired by her experience with motherhood, she has two upcoming exhibitions, one in Healdsburg, CA and the other in San Francisco, so if you're around, mark your calendars:

 
 Legion Projects on April 2, 2022
 
 Eleanor Harwood Gallery on June 4-July 16, 2022