Jamilla Kato

Jamilla Kato became an artist partially because of her father and partially for her own sense of well-being. The artist found that over the years she probed herself about what it was she wanted to do. Each and every time she came back to that gnawing feeling that she must create – it was the only way to “keep my sanity,” reflects Kato. Working primarily in photography and printmaking, her work investigates the intersection of race, identity and beauty, particularly with regard to her being of African descent. Her work engages in dialogue with the viewer. Kato also shares her practice as an art teacher at the local Boys & Girls club. Her greatest artistic challenge is speaking to an audience that might not be receptive to her work or coming from a like frame of mind. Her work encourages and supports understanding, and Kato sometimes becomes frustrated when people refuse to open their eyes to others’ perspectives. Her solo show coming up is based around the artist’s personal experience of colorism. After that she’s planning to apply to the School of Visual Arts graduate program in New York City and keep creating non-stop.

http://www.jamillakato.com/