Check out AD “Kaya” Clark’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to AD “Kaya” Clark.

AD, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My father gave me a camera when I was three years old, and I’ve been shooting ever since. He was in the Marine Corps, so we moved around a lot. I was born in Oxford, Mississippi. I’ve lived in Mississippi, North Carolina, Maryland, Okinawa, and California. I claim Atlanta as my home because I’ve lived here the longest. While in Okinawa, I took classes in photography in high school and learned how to develop black and white film. I had no knowledge of Art schools or institutes, so when it came time for college, I came to Atlanta to attend Spelman. I put my camera down for a couple of years to focus on my studies. I majored in Early Childhood Education and taught in Atlanta Public Schools for 18 years. I retired two years ago and became a full-time artist. I also work at the Spelman Museum of Fine Art as a staff photographer and am training to become a docent there as well.

After having my son in 2007, he became my favorite muse and I started shooting again. I started going to City of Ink in Castleberry Hill in 2010, where I met Miya Bailey and Kevin “Mr. Soul” Harp. They both encouraged me to submit for the monthly art shows. It got to the point where I no longer had to submit, I was expected to have a piece for every show. In June 2013, I had my first solo show there, “The Pin Up Project.” I adore the work of classic pin-up artists Gil Elvgren and Alberto Vargas but noticed the lack of women of color in their art. I gathered my friends, who are also my muses, and created my collection. My second solo art show, in 2015, was titled “Warrior Women: The Transcendental Tale of Six Warrior Women”. I created a tribe from my friends/muses inspired by their show of strength in the face of trying times. Since 2013, I’ve been in over 40 arts shows in the Atlanta area, as well as having pieces in Art, Beats, and Lyrics for the past four years. I’ve also curated two group photography shows. Ascendant, in 2017, featured three female photographers of color. In February of 2018, I co-curated Hood Alchemy at South Fulton Arts Center, the first photography art show to be held there. I gathered 23 of my favorite photographers in Atlanta and shared their work with the city.

In January, I attended The Evolution of Mimi by Deborah Roberts at the Spelman Museum of Fine Art, and my mind was blown. I began researching other contemporary African American female artists and became inspired by the work of Deborah, Renee Cox, and Mickalene Thomas. In March I began collaging my photography and started a collection inspired by the work of Alphonse Mucha. The poses of his muses and composition in his Art Deco work and his use of circles of flowers in his paintings reminded me of my photography. I do not use any found images. All of the photographs in the collages are mine and the photographs of hummingbirds that I use come from my father. Right now, I am focusing on improving my painting skills with lessons from Alfred Conteh to utilize with my collages. I am also planning out my next photography collection, and plan on showing new work in 2019.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
With my work, I aim to challenge the ideals of beauty and blackness by presenting Black women through a female gaze that brings their sensuality to the forefront. Drawing inspiration from conversations with women of the African diaspora about life, love, and living, I capture my subjects in natural light. My intention is to capture their natural beauty, therefore, I use a nominal amount of retouching and Photoshop, choosing instead to embrace what some would call imperfections. I see every individual in my lens as a muse.

My most recent works combine my original photography, painting, and collage drawing inspiration from the works of artists Alphonse Mucha, Mickalene Thomas, Renee Cox, and Deborah Roberts. From the beginning of my exploration in fine arts, I have surrounded myself with African-American female artists as mentors and surrogate teachers. As a former teacher myself, my former students’ enthusiasm is a continuous catalyst in adding more depth to my work that creates a point of entry for educators and institutions alike to provide spaces and curriculum that use art to build self-esteem, self-love and the beauty in blackness.

My experience as an educator influences and informs my photographs, and instigates my willingness to explore and learn new techniques. Being driven by a feminist perspective and wanting to ensure more than adequate representation of the female gaze, I’m a firm believer in the human right of women being able to express and display themselves in whatever ways they feel the need to, without the having to consider their safety in a male-dominated world. I don’t believe women should have to edit themselves, or how they live their lives, in ways to make men more comfortable. I don’t believe a “double standard” should exist. I do not like the fact that women have to think about how men would react when they choose to display their bodies in their natural form.

What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
I can’t speak for all artists, but I do have this conversation with a lot of my photographer friends. I feel as if the biggest challenge that photographers face today is to be taken seriously as ARTISTS. Anyone can pick up a phone or buy a DSLR, and claim to be a photographer. People don’t want to pay the same prices for photography as they will for other artwork. Photography is an art form. Those who take it seriously put a lot of work into each and every piece that they share. Photographers who respect the art want to sell their work, have collectors and hang in galleries and museums just like other artists. There is more to it than a mere snap of the shutter. Developing relationships with other artists, curators, and gallery owners can open up channels that are readily available to those who are serious about the artistry of photography.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Right now I have work traveling with Art, Beats, and Lyrics, a traveling urban art and music exhibition. I am working on my next photography series, as well as putting together a collection with my collages. I am planning to show my new works in the Spring of 2019. In the meantime, people can follow my work on Instagram at Kayashoots. I’m also a staff photographer at the Spelman Museum of Fine Art, as well as a training to be a docent. Anyone who supports the exhibitions and events at the museum will not only be supporting my work, but they will be able to view some amazing artwork by women of the African diaspora. The next exhibition opens on January 31st and will be the first major solo exhibition for Amy Sherald.

Contact Info:

• Email: https://kayashoots.carbonmade.com
• Instagram: Kayashoots
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayafaeryphotography/

Image Credit:
AD “Kaya” Clark

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