K. Willert
b. 1988, San Diego
BIO
K. Willert (they/them) was born in 1988 in San Diego, CA and currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. Their work focuses on the themes of queerness, desire, and navigating reality as a nonbinary person.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work explores the interaction between colorful abstraction and the forms it creates. I like to experiment with my materials—acrylic paints, graphite, oil sticks—to explore color, mark making, and texture. This consistent exploration mirrors my own journey in exploring my gender identity (or lack thereof).
Although different, my works are interconnected in their investigation of queerness and desire. The creation of these works serve to transmute my personal shame and fear into an unabashed statement of truth. Each work gets me closer to my lifelong goal of limitless expansion and by creating these works, I seek to aid others in their journey of self discovery.
My early works in textile and pattern design were mainly in the abstract and it is only after I came out as queer at the age of 33 and nonbinary at the age of 34 did I realize I was using abstraction as a shield to mask my deepest desires. Once I removed the boxes of a gender binary and heterosexuality from my person, my work took on a raw and brash style that surprised even myself. In this new frontier of self discovery, I’ve had to ask myself (and of my work): “What are the rules when you no longer have a blueprint?”
The answer? There are none.