Hi Carla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Atlanta from Charlotte, NC in 2006. My only goal was to go live where Outkast was from but I needed more than that to change my life. I was accepted into graduate school at Savannah College of Art & Design to continue studying fine arts. Between school and getting to know a new city, I needed to find a place where I belong. Sometime during 2007, I came across the City of Ink and everything changed. I found the black artists and underground scene I wanted to be a part of my entire life. By the time I graduated from SCAD-Atlanta, I had my photography thesis exhibition in their space. I wanted to know if the people I went to school with would even go across town to a black-owned business. A black-owned tattoo shop with space to showcase art on its walls. It was everything I wanted as a 20-something.
Between the years 2007-2011, we created art exhibitions across all of Atlanta. When I say “we,” I mean a lot of different characters in this story. Miya Bailey, Tuki Carter, Mr. Soul216, Chilly-O, Brandon Sadler and the list goes on and on. Everyone was definitely doing their own thing with collaborations across many different subcultures of Atlanta. In 2012, I had my first son and left Atlanta. I believe that children need the support of a village and my village was in Charlotte. Everything that I learned during my time in Atlanta I’ve been able to re-produce again here in Charlotte. There is such a large underground art movement in Atlanta that needed life poured into it and sometimes, all it can take is one person. I’ve always been in the background moving and grooving.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being an artist is not for the weak of heart. There are so many different ways one can be a successful artist that it all becomes overwhelming. Struggles and obstacles are real. Nothing that you love will be easy. There have been moments when I’ve questioned myself as to why I chose this profession. Sometimes, it looks as if I should’ve gone a more secure route but I didn’t. Every time I fall into really dope projects like doing work for the Biden/Harris Presidential campaign and collaborating to make Charlotte’s first city name mural-like New York or LA is rewarding. It lets me know that all that hard work over the past ten years is paying off.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In Atlanta, I’m known for photography, printmaking and collage. In Charlotte, I’m known for those things, too, as well as being an arts educator and becoming a badass hand-lettering artist. I’m most proud of an 8x16ft photography mural I created in support of our Black Lives Matter mural. I’m also known for helping the City of Ink to become what it is today. If we can ever get out of the house again, you should pop up at an anniversary and see what was just for us is now for the entire city.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Oh, yes! In a decade, I’ve created two creative communities for black artists in the American South. One day, people are going to write about the things I did along the way to create a diverse community that includes different walks of life that are representative of every city I’ve lived in. My world isn’t just black or white. My world is a reflection of our global world. Therefore, we have work to do moving forward. We have to recognize all the different cultural values around our cities and towns. Everybody has something to bring to the table. What’s yours because I’m working. What are you willing to change in your community tomorrow?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamkingcarla.com
- Instagram: @iamkingcarla
Image Credits
They all by @iamkingcarla
