Art Review: Kori Newkirk

Kori Newkirk is not a stereotypical 6'2" black male, nor is he a conventional artist. He loathes basketball despite assumptions, and calls himself a painter who doesn't paint. Needless to say, Newkirk refuses to be defined by others and does not limit his art to strict definitions. Newkirk is an LA based artist who was raised in New York, and despite years of living in Southern California he still finds it to be a strange and fascinating place. His artistic journey began with "paintings" comprised of packets of anti-freeze and glycerine soap, but no actual paint brushes. He continued with this detached, abstract medium until someone told him that type of work would always be done. What he needed was to put himself into his work--his identity was an essential component to take his work to the next level.

And so he did. Newkirk began creating pieces that reflected his views on race, gender, and masculinity. His pieces Cadillac and Legacy dealt with racial stereotypes and what it meant to be part of a specific culture. He experimented with pomade and lite-brite toys, and did a series of self-portraits that weren't meant to focus solely on his individual identity but rather the broader scope of humanity. Newkirk's work took on a different, more reflective tone once he embraced his beliefs and interests in his art.

Kori Newkirk, Modernist House, 2005

My favorite pieces are his bead curtains. Made from braided synthetic hair and plastic beads, these curtains depict suburban and rural landscapes through urban materials. I was amazed when Newkirk explained that nothing was painted and that each strand was hand crafted--a particularly remarkable feat for images spanning over at least four feet wide. His bead work is both beautiful and incredibly innovative, and captures the essence of painting without ever touching a brush.

Kori Newkirk, Gainer, 2006