There is something that many museums and galleries have in common, aside from the obvious similarity of being a space for historical and high end pieces of art. The unfortunate similarity is the lack of representation for women artists. In spite of this, we can thank leading figures like Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, and Yayoi Kusama who are just a few to pave the way for women to receive acknowledgement and respect for the art they’ve brought forth. However, women have continuously been under and misrepresented in art history. Yes, invisibility and marginality exists among women in the art world still today, but it has improved quite a lot. I was able to see it with my very own eyes at the BronxArtSpace with ArtsyWindow presenting TREAT Yo Self where I met Kimberly Celeste where we discussed issues like representation of women and gender inequality in the real world and art world.

I was extremely impressed by Kimberley using the term “Womxn” instead of women throughout this interview, it was new for me, but it was fascinating to discover such a powerful way to make the term more inclusive. This slight letter replacement truly demonstrates a stronger care to the many identities and intersectionality’s of being a womxn. This change also seems to aim towards a way to achieve greater independence as a womxn from ignorant patriarchal views. I am also very impressed by the discussion of her most controversial piece “Consent”. It was one that caught my attention immediately at the show, and turned out to be one of my favorite pieces from Kimberly. I believe controversy in art can be a really great thing; every controversial piece will leave you thinking. It is an accomplishment to create a piece that will leave anyone questioning their society, a piece that can reflect the state of the world is critical in the times we’re living in. Art is not meant to look pretty in the eyes always, art can be pleasurable with the issues that seem so difficult for anyone to talk about. The fact that art can start the conversation for us makes it quite memorable, and that’s what “Consent” is to me. Kimberly has the ability to break the norms through her art, she expresses herself in a way that is so rare to find nowadays. As I first met her, it was extremely charming to see how much she wanted to interact with me and others, she was thinking about her dog at home, but also discussing issues that exist among women while also sharing her experience with the women at the art show. I am convinced that anyone would find Kimberly to be extremely humble and kind-hearted as I saw her to be, she has a vision and soul so powerful that it is showcased through her work so magically. Women have faced many challenges within the industry due to gender biases, and this leads to difficulty in being able to gain recognition, but it is very inspiring to see women like Kimberly Celeste taking those risks in the art world. It is very unfortunate that for centuries people have often overlooked the gifts of women, and it is important that we always shine the light on neglected artists, especially those who deserve the spotlight to possibly change the world.

 

Artist: Kimberly Celeste

1. What’s your background?

I am Puerto Rican and was born and raised in the South Bronx of New York City. I am 21 years old and come from a low income family.

2. Why is art important?

Art is important for many reasons. The first being that it’s such a creative outlet. It’s great for expressing yourself in terms of emotions, what you’re going through, etc. It’s important to be able to connect with and relate to people. Art is one of the many ways to be involved and gain some human interaction. Human interaction is important, it’s needed, and I feel like art allows you to receive that and give that to others as well.

3. What is your favorite thing about art?

My favorite thing about art is the reaction I get from the audience. Personally, I like to touch base on serious topics within my works. Most of the time, people get offended by my works and will react negatively. While those who understand my work will react positively. I just anticipate the kind of feedback I’ll receive. It shows me who understands, who wants to understand, who is learning, who wants to learn, and who simply just doesn’t give any fucks.

4. Name at least three of your top favorite artists and why are they your favorite?

I definitely love and appreciate Agnes Cecile. She works a lot with watercolor and her paintings usually consist of people. I just love the way she manipulates, plays, and works with watercolor. Her paintings are interesting and admiring to look at. Her choice of color is soothing as well. Her palette is usually dull and sort of pastel rather than colors that are neon and vibrant and just in your face. Another artist I appreciate is Marcel Duchamp. He’s known for taking a urinal and calling it art (It’s called Fountain). At the time, a lot of people were like, “This is disgusting. Why would you do this? This isn’t art. Are you serious?” And the whole point of it was to make you think and question what art really is. Art is usually associated with drawings and paintings. He wanted to make it clear that, in that case, he believed that anything could be art. Anything that you create is art and that message itself is self-explanatory but so beautiful and true.

5. What is your goal when it comes to your art?

Like I’ve mentioned before, my goal is to be able to make certain topics become more spoken about. My goal is to at least try to help people understand and learn about certain topics so they can become aware about them and be able to help others with what they’ve learned and so on. I want to be able to make a difference in society even if it’s something small. So being able to see and hear how people react to my works helps me understand what I am doing right and wrong.

6. What’s your favorite artwork? (Your work and/or other artist, why?)

My favorite artwork has to be my own and it’s called “Consent”. It’s my most controversial piece and a lot of people were confused by it, they disagreed with me, they would say really nasty things to me about it. I created it because I feel like people don’t really understand the meaning of consent. They don’t understand what falls under consent and what doesn’t. I just hope that people will become more educated about it and learn what consent means.

7. How is your personality reflected in your work?

I’d say my personality is reflected in my work with the topics I draw and speak about. I’m big on how shitty society is, how the empowerment of women is so important, how racism and sexism still plays a big part of our lives and how much it sucks, how rape culture exists even though some people are in denial about it, etc. So usually my thoughts about these types of topics are reflected into my work.

8. How do you work? (A brief snippet of your process)

Well, I always need a reference because I still haven’t gained the skill of just drawing something from the top of my head. So, I usually get my references from Tumblr. I sketch with a #2H pencil and go over my sketch with micron pens. Depending on how I feel about my sketch afterwards, I may leave it as it is or add some color using prismacolor markers, and then I’ll add a brief but blunt statement that relates to the work. Usually the statement is simple and straight forward and I do it so that way the audience can instantly understand my work.

9. How do you overcome creative blocks?

Honestly, I don’t (laughs) when I have artist’s block, my day is automatically ruined. That’s when I close my sketchbook and leave it on my desk with the pencil right next to it and call it a day. I usually do other things like maybe I’ll just go outside for a walk, or head to Starbucks, or nap, or watch a movie, or play a game. Once I feel stuck, I just can’t force myself to keep the pencil in my hand.

10. Why do you do what you do?

I do what I do for myself and to help educate others. Art helps me understand this generation better, it helps me understand myself better, and it inspires me to help others understand all these things as well. It’s something I’m truly passionate about and I think it’s really important that more people become accepting of what this generation believes in.

11. How has your art changed overtime?

I know for sure that my art has changed overtime. Once I decided to embrace every aspect of myself, I began to show that in my art work. I began to love myself by accepting my body and working on feeling comfortable with it. I hardly shave and I’m not afraid to show my body hair. I became accepting of my sexuality and just the fact that I am a sexual being and love every aspect about sex. So, my art work usually consists of the naked/nude body and sometimes it involves sex.

12. What themes do you pursue in your work?

I believe my main theme is solely about self-care. I believe it’s important to live for yourself, to do what you want to do, to do what makes you happy and comfortable at the end of the day, and not listen to others whatsoever.

13. How has society or your reality inspired any of your works?

Society and my reality is something that I usually disagree with a lot of the times. I was born with a vagina and uterus so I was raised to believe that my favorite color has to be pink, that I need to play with dolls, and that I need to wear heels and skirts and dresses. Society has taught me that I need to save my body for the right man and be ashamed of being sexual, but only be sexual with that right man. It’s just crazy and not normal. I like to make that aware within my artworks because so many of us were raised that way and were made to believe certain things, when it’s ridiculous.

14. What and/or who inspires you?

Honestly, womxn. Womxn inspire me so much because I know the kind of hardships we are made to face. Some women are just so brave and strong, but overcome anything that gets in their way and I love that. It speaks to me on so many levels.

15. What do you love about the art world?

I love that there are so many artists who struggle the same way you may struggle. It feels good to know that you can relate to someone who basically does the same thing as you in their own way. I love that it feels like you have a family. I love that artists understand what we all need. Like we all need support, we need that love. Often time’s artists are seen as a joke and people make it seem like pursuing a career within the art field isn’t a real career when it is.

16. What makes you angry about the art world?

The only thing that bothers me about the art world is how competitive it seems. It feels like everyone is playing this game called, “Who can be more successful? Who can do it better?” It shouldn’t feel like a competition. We are all going about our lives on our own paces. No one is better than the other.

17. Hobbies?

My hobbies are very simple. First off, I love being at home. I watch movies, I scroll through social media, I draw, I spend time with my parents, I spend time with my dog, I spend time with my friends or my boyfriend. It’s literally all that I do.

18. Favorite movie? Why? (And favorite song or favorite musicians)

I have a lot of favorite movies but it’s honestly because I simply enjoyed them. In terms of music, I am obsessed with Banks and The 1975. Banks is so badass! She’s big on the empowerment of womxn as well and about self-confidence. The 1975 is so soothing and fun to listen to as well. They like to focus on getting you in your feels, basically. Usually it works for me.

19. What is one or some of your most favorite artistic experiences? (Whether it being a cultural experience, dance, music, performance, painting, film making, editing, painting, drawing, networking, collaboration, etc any form of art)

I really enjoy my experiences in art events. I enjoy witnessing people actually looking at my work in person rather than through a device on social media and reacting to it. I love that they come up to me and spark a conversation about it.

20. What are your personal challenges when it comes to art?

Honestly, I suffer from depression and anxiety. So, before I begin sketching any ideas that are serious, I feel anxious about even doing it in the first place. I get anxious because I feel nervous or scared that I might be triggering myself and/or others when I don’t mean to.

21. Any other talents? What are your other passions?

Does sleeping and eating count as a talent/passion? Honestly.

22. Highlights of your journey

I definitely love to witness my own growth. I keep all my sketches whether if it’s the actual sketch or through a picture, whatever it might be. I like to look back at my old sketches and see how much I’ve grown, how my skills have increased.

23. What do you love about the Bronx?

I love that the people living in the Bronx literally do not give any fucks. I believe we live the way we want to regardless of what people say. People always talk down on the Bronx and say it’s such a horrible place to go to and have these typical stereotypes about it. We are tired of hearing that shit but we go about our days regardless.

24. What do you hope can improve in the Bronx?

I just hope that people will become more accepting of the Bronx and not see it as this dirty and dangerous part of the city. Other than that, I do believe the Bronx is beautiful as it is.

25. Plans? Whether it being artistic or not?

I want to continue aiming for success. I want to attend and feature in many art events, continue creating and making people react. I also want to be a mother of plenty of dogs.

28. Your message to the world?

STOP GIVING A FUCKKKKK!!!! Do what you believe is best for YOU. Know that you are not alone, that you have support, you are loved and cared for. Just please live your life not only because it is yours but because you have every right to do so.

 

 

You can follow Kimberly on Instagram!

IG: @kimberlyfuckingceleste

 

 

 

*The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the opinions of The Bronx Brand*

Leslie Garcia has been living in the Bronx since she was 11 years old.  She loves the rich history of the Bronx, and how the Bronx has given her strength and hope.  She loves the shopping areas, the food, and the activities for families (which is what she plans on showcasing to the world).  She loves the culture and beauty of the Bronx and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Follow her here:

Instagram.com/Frostbittenkitten

Twitter.com/Lesahhlee

Facebook.com/Gigglyduff