Picture three musicians all with a different instrument. They pick a theme such as “a new mythology.” One musician makes a sound, the second responds, the third responds to both sounds and so on. They build upon each other’s sounds and architecture develops. However, in this case the musicians are replaced by visual artists and instead of instruments they have paint brushes or charcoal. They choose a theme and go about creating an image the same way as the musicians, building and improvising on the spot to create a work of art. In the case of the Kindred Art Collaborative members, some of the ideas they share are: replacing old myths and old visual social stereo types of races and gender with new mythology and current multi-cultural and gender values and creating art that is both random (relying heavily on chance and process) and at the same time deliberate.
I grew up in Philadelphia, and from a young age, I loved to draw, which eventually led to painting. As I grew and evolved, I wanted to become a professional artist. I attended the University of the Arts, graduating with a BFA in Painting. I moved to New York to continue my education and was sidetracked by a chance meeting. I became a personal assistant to jazz legend Miles Davis. I traveled the world with him. Technically, he brought me closer to my own love of art. He was developing a second career as a visual artist. Many interactions with him led to a few New York Exhibitions and my first art sales as an adult. Miles taught me to first believe in myself and my art. He also taught me discipline and to pursue my work just for me. Not necessarily based on critic approval. This is when I became the truest version of myself.
I continued to make work daily, no matter what else was going on in my life. Art was a personal journal. A way of telling my story through my everyday activities. I always made work based on memories, dreams, and spirit.
I made work while working at art supply stores, art galleries as an installer, and freelance editorial illustrations.
My current works are about people of color coexisting in the present and future. I call it Afrofuturism. It feels like the right time as we move into a global multicultural existence.
The works of the Kindred Art Collaborative are inspired by a wild pursuit of our collective imagination, like a jazz improvisation, touching associations with our past and blending our personal histories with our shared vision of the culture we grew up in.
The works explore our differences and shared realities and make fraught attempts to connect with our inner selves and the culture at large. The process of collaboration is veiled; it is a mysterious artistic adventure with unknown outcomes. But it’s clear that these works are much more than the sum of our individual abilities: the act of working together creates a new persona: Kindred.
Carl Cellini is a painter, sculptor, musician, composer, martial artist and instructor of martial arts who grew up in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. He has had numerous painting exhibits in the last forty years and his work has been purchased by businesses, schools and individual patrons during this time. He received his BFA from Temple University's Tyler School of Art in 1980. Cellini's latest paintings are gestural and expressionistic, focused on incorporating the movements of the martial arts animals he studies. The process is important to his art making as he strives to invoke something direct and authentic. Carl formed Cellini Studios in 2014 which is a gallery space, studio space and houses a school of martial arts that he owns and operates in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
Richard Metz grew up in Abington, Pennsylvania. He received a BFA from Temple University’s Tyler school of Art, and an MFA from Maine College of Art. He recently retired from a career as a high school art teacher. In addition to showing his work frequently and widely, he is a musician and writer, with an interest in radio drama. He has been an environmental activist for many years and remains passionate about protecting forests. He has been chosen to participate in artist residencies across the country for the last ten years where he creates ephemeral painted tree installations.
Painting and drawing have been a lifetime pursuit for Mikel. Having grown up in Philadelphia, Mikel’s art degree is from Philadelphia University of the Arts. In one chapter of his life Mikel went to work as a manager for famed jazz musician Miles Davis for several years. This experience helped shape and define Mikel for years to follow. Although Miles Davis was a renowned jazz musician, he was also drawing and painting everyday while traveling the world. He convinced Mikel that he had the ability to be and do many things at the same time. Whether working in the art supply business, or in the past when he was working with Miles Davis or currently, painting and drawing in his studio Mikel is truly living the life of a full-time artist. In recent years his focus on Afro Centrism and world cultures has permeated his individual work.
Ambler, PA 19002
215-527-3253
Carl Cellini
Richard Metz
Mikel Elam
