Tag: Oil Painting

Posted on

Kuheshimu Mababu Zangu, First show of 2025

I’m so excited to be showing a new body of work at the Smalter Art Gallery. I’ve been working on this series for about 2 years now and I’m excited to have them all shown together. This collection I started early in 2022. This show is a snapshot in time of the work I’m currently creating. I enjoy working in series and while this show is complete, I still have several more that I’ll continue to work on to add to it. https://smalterart.com/event/kwanza-humphreys-kuheshimu-mababu-zangu/

Opening Saturday 2/8/2025, 5-8 pm at The Smalter Gallery. The show will run through the month of February. Closing will be weekend of March 7th

“Kuheshimu Mababu Zangu” 

Deep Roots, Oil on canvas 48 x 60 in (121.92 x 152.40 cm)

In this exciting and timely new series, mid-career artist Kwanza Humphrey tenderly pays tribute to those oft-forgotten African tribal artisans who inspired this work. Humphrey’s ancestral home is on the vast continent of Africa, and through this work, he reaches back in time to create a bridge with those in the motherland who have inspired him and so many others with their work. Working in the tradition of folk and vernacular art, Kwanza elaborates on ideas and concepts represented in the tribal narrative. Humphrey elevates and transforms the utilization of the masks from a primarily utilitarian purpose into a reflective concept. Through this process, the artist honors their tradition and introduces new audiences to these seminal creatives, their influential work, and their legacy of artistic brilliance and innovation.

Posted on

Friday Is Stacked! The Adventure Continues With BAAR Art And Flatfiles.

Join me for receptions starting at 4 PM at Habitat Contemporary, and 6 PM at H&R Block Artspace

What more can an artist ask for, than new adventures with creative opportunities to share their art with new people in new places across the world?

I am moving into this month with gratitude for all of the great conversations, art sold, and profound questions that were asked of me by my community of friends and patrons in the dialog circle at HJ’s. One question sticks with me, “How are you going to move toward your art being your full-time occupation?” While I dream of being full-time in the studio, I am also quite clear that I am on the right path. These next couple of exhibitions demonstrate the power of this process of unfolding, cascading opportunities emerging from each other.

Yemaya on Edge, 40 x 30 inOil on Canvas

The BAAR Art Journey and Residency is an incredible honor. Join me this Friday for the first exhibition of my work with BAAR, as it launches from KC, out into the world with an exciting series of group exhibitions. Over the next 10 months, 3 paintings and 1 mixed-media piece will travel across the country and the world. I am curious to see how new opportunities will emerge. That is how the journey continues… one show plants a seed and the next one sprouts.

BAAR Art Residency: Habitat Contemporary
(Located in the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center) 07.07.23

Happy Hour Reception
4-6 PM

Location
Register Here

The H&R Block Artspace at the KCAI is opening the 2023 Kansas City Flatfile & Digitalfile, featuring artwork by over 250 regional artists, including 5 of my mixed media pieces. In 2019, I participated in the flatfiles call for art and it was from this unique exhibition that my current commission for St. James Catholic Church emerged. I love the serendipity and synchronicity that comes along the path. I wholeheartedly believe that the just right next steps are emerging. I am looking forward to another wonderful Friday night in KC with art receptions stacked and opportunities sprouting all around us. Join me.

Artist Gaze, 9 x 12, mixed media on paper

2023 Kansas City Flatfile & Digitalfile: H&R Block Artspace
07.07.23
OPENING RECEPTION 6-8

Making the invisible, visible; comes from trusting that I am on my path. Thank you for joining me. See you soon.

~Kwanza

    Posted on

    HJ’s and Brookside Art Fair 

    What a great night for art in Kansas City. My solo exhibition Distinctly Human is up now at HJ’s Youth & Community Center opened the same night as the opening of the Brookside Art Fair. The space is about 2 blocks away from the fair. The night was beautiful with the weather being pleasant at 70-something degrees. The opening was sparsely attended, but that allowed for a more intimate gathering and the ability to connect more deeply. I’m not much of a public speaker so this was perfect. I gave a few opening remarks and then opened it up for questions. We all gathered in a circle and while I don’t like to explain exactly every detail in the work I do, I could explain the intent and listen to the observations others had and what they saw. Though it was a small gathering it was a big night for sales. As one patron put it my work was getting the measles as red dots were sprouting up. Thank you again to all those that made it out and for the great conversations. The exhibition will be up until the end of June. If you’re down for the Brookside Art Fair, head just a couple blocks south to check it out. Feel free to add another red dot too!

    Posted on

    Now/Here

    My painting “Clarissa” is part of an amazing show at the H&R Block Art space. Be sure to make your way down to see it and all the amazing art featured in this wonderful gallery.

    Featured artists: Patricia Bordallo Dibildox, Ruben Castillo, Jorge García Almodóvar, Rashawn Griffin, Kwanza Humphrey, Kathy Liao, Whitney Manney, Desiree Morales, Andrew Ordonez, Carlos Ortiz-Gallo, Rebeka Pech Moguel, Anthony Marcos Rea, William Plummer, Angelica Sandoval, Kiki Serna, Hyeyoung Shin, Chico Sierra, Heinrich Toh, William Toney.

    Location:
    Artspace is located at 16 East 43rd St., Kansas City, MO 64111.