artist statement
In creating my mixed media artwork, I try to find a balance: through the use of various types of painting techniques, staining, and chemical application. I also use humour on occasion. I find that this eases the viewer into exploring the more serious underlying issues in my work, whether they’re influenced by outside society, my personal environment, or from within. In January of 2010, I made a decision to get back to my artistic roots. I'm currently creating a fusion of the fluid sketching and charcoal style from my past with spray paint and distress techniques that I've picked up over the years, as well as new painting methods I've not previously explored.
In my 2009 series of paintings “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”, my art became much more introspective where as in the past, social relevance was a key theme. Popular imagery still has a place in the composition, but the 2009 paintings focus more on my all-too-human defects of character, faulty perception, and skewed sense of humor. The primary focus in the 2009 series is my comic-style characters. Hand drawn and painted on paper, they are later cut out and collaged onto canvas, with hand painted magazine style text, additional collage, and stenciled background imagery. Despite their costumes and good intentions, my characters are overcome by the desires that exist in us all to some extent. Their instincts “Led astray“ and “hit rock bottom” themes make these “Heroes” grand examples of self will run riot.
bio
C.Kirk began painting in 2004 and since then has found many forms of art to express himself through, including, painting, sculpture, and video art.
Several Dallas-based galleries have referred to him to as “Dallas art’s most prolific artist”. His work has been featured in publications (both in print and online) worldwide. The art of C.Kirk hangs in corporate and private collections across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
C. Kirk lives and works in Texas.
resume
Solo Exhibits:
2008 - The Whitney Gallery, Dallas, TX
2008 - The Lounge On Elm, Dallas, TX
2008 - Buli, Cedar Springs, Dallas, TX
2007 - Elbowroom, Dallas, TX
2007 - DCCCD Regional Service Center, Mesquite, TX
Group Exhibits:
2010 - 4th Wall Gallery, Dallas, Texas (“Building Character - C.Kirk with Jeru Gabriel & Hatziel Florez”)
2010 - Fairmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas, (“Art In The District 2010”)
2010 - Latitude Zero Fine Art Gallery, Orlando, Florida (“Small Wonders”)
2009 / 2010 - The Contemporary Art Center Of Virginia, Virginia Beach, Virginia (“Davmo & The Young Guns")
2009 - Coma Art Space Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (Robert Hodge Presents: “Sensory Overload”)
2009 - Janette Kennedy Gallery, Dallas TX (“Art Love Magic: Underground”)
2009 - Art Hotel, Dallas, TX (“Art Hotel & C. Kirk Present, A Black History Tribute” - featured artist & curator)
2009 - Janette Kennedy Gallery, Dallas, TX ("Art Love Magic: Underground" - featured live muralist)
2008 - The Tipping Point, Houston, TX, (“Houston Art Alliance & Robert Hodge Present: Sensory Overload”)
2008 - The Gallery At Oldsfielddavis, Dallas, TX, (“Fine Art In Dallas 2009”)
2008 - Art Hotel, Dallas, TX (“Day Of The Dead Exhibit”)
2008 - Nomad Arts, Dallas, TX (“Signs Of The Times”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“Fall Gallery Walk Open House”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“Benefit Show”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“The Live Long Day”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“Fling Goes Green”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“Cinco de Mayo Exhibit”)
2008 - Avenue Arts Venue, Dallas, TX (“Flesh & Bone Erotic Art Show”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“Arts Festival Open House”)
2008 - Fire House Gallery, Ft Worth, TX (“Gallery Night”)
2008 - Avenue Arts Venue, Dallas, TX (“Expo Art Night”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“The Anniversary Show”)
2008 - Avenue Arts Venue, Dallas, TX (“Expo Art Night”)
2008 - The Vanditthavong Gallery, Dallas, TX (“The Love Show”)
2008 - Space Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Obscenely Unseen”)
2008 - Studio Fling, Dallas, TX (“The Clock Show”)
2007 - Space Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Truth Love”)
2007 - Avenue Arts Venue, Dallas, TX (“Holiday Art Show”)
2007 - Designing Dreams, Southside On Lamar, Dallas, TX (Cedars “Open Studio”)
2007 - Pawn Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Horrors & The Enchanted Wasteland”)
2007 - Lightning Art Media Fest, Mesquite, TX (live sculpture performance)
2007 - Town Square Project, Dallas, TX (live sculpture performance)
2007 - Art Club, Dallas, TX (“Feed An Artist: The Alpha Exhibit”)
2007 - Space Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Obscenely Unseen”)
2007 - Town Square Project, Dallas, TX (“Studio Fling Block Party”)
2007 - Kettle Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Seven Deadly Sins Show”)
2007 - Kettle Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Spring Cleaning Show”)
2007 - 500X, Dallas, “TX (Junior Senior Prom”)
2007 - Kettle Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Four Twenty One”)
2007 - City Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Scarcity & Abundance”)
2006 - 1308 Gallery, Dallas, TX (“Auto Immune & Cell Phone Art”)
2006 - The Contemporary, Dallas, TX (“Membership Show”)
2006 - TVAA, Dallas, TX (“Membership Show @ Medical City”)
2005 - TVAA, Dallas, TX (“Half Price Books Show”)
Print Publications:
“Designing Obama"
Juice Magazine
Southern Swagg Magazine
City Art Cal “Fine Art In Dallas”
D Home Magazine,
Envy Magazine
Town Square Magazine
Online Publications:
Vimby - Video In My Backyard
Red Door NY
Grounded TV
The Obama Art Report
World News
NBC Dfw
Dallas Art News
Orlando Weekly
Dallas Observer
Glasstire
Modern Dallas
Dallas News
Escoflip
DFW Art
Art & Seek
Guide Live
Dallas Arts Revue Calendar
Element 8
Pegasus News
The Subrosa Blog Spot
Corporate Commissions:
Absolut Vodka
Pepsi
Art Festivals:
2007 - Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX (“Deep Ellum Sellum”)
2007 - El Centro College, Dallas, TX (“Arts & Crafts Fair")
2007 - “Lightning Art Media Fest”, Mesquite, TX
2007 - “Second Saturday” At Southside On Lamar, Dallas, TX
2006 - “Second Saturday” At Southside On Lamar, Dallas, TX
2006 - El Centro College, Dallas, TX ("Holiday Art Sale")