Statement / CV

This work is conceptualized through a practice of play, where rules are set and followed in a game-like fashion. Driven by process, the paintings are realized through a sequence of regimented actions from sketching/playing to physical construction, color selection, and shadow intervention. Pieces can be born from physical play, or by developing a simple sketch into a tangible object. The work seeks to  synthesize an intuitive use of color and material with systems for deriving shapes and color palettes.

Popsicle stick forms act as recurring units that transform from piece to piece. The works are comprised of a variety of materials ranging from wooden popsicle sticks, canvas, plywood, fence posts, particle board, XPS board, cardboard, papier-mâché, fabric, and ceramics. All pieces, regardless of materials, are painted in the spirit of geometric hard-edge abstraction using acrylic paint. However, evidence of the human hand is present as the works are drawn, cut, and painted by hand where moments of inconsistency leave traces of human interaction. 

Gradients and outlining are utilized to maximize opportunities for "color to touch color" and create varied simultaneous contrast. 

Dimension functions as a tool to draw with shadows and expand color palettes. 

Color creates visual trickery that acts as a game to be played, and subtleties in color relationships are identified only through careful observation. 

Scale varies greatly between each piece, but the compositional rules still apply. 

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Education 

MFA Painting & Drawing (Secondary: Ceramics), University of Iowa - August 2023 

MA Painting & Drawing (Secondary: Sculpture & Intermedia), University of Iowa - May 2022 

MS Art Education, University of Tennessee - May 2017 

BFA 2D Studio Art, University of Tennessee - May 2016 

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Solo and Two Person Exhibitions 

Lilliput Effect - Ana Mendieta Gallery, Iowa City, IA (Solo)- April 2023 

Playscapes - Prairie Lights, Iowa City, IA - (Two Person Exhibit) - February 2023 

Soma - Channel to Channel Gallery, Nashville, TN (Solo) - December 2021 

Novum - Eve Drewelowe Gallery, Iowa City, IA (Solo) - November 2021 

▸Sweetgum - Richard S. and Jeanne S. Levitt Gallery, Iowa City, IA (Solo) - March 2021 

Betula - Channel to Channel Gallery, Nashville TN (Solo) – June 2020 

Umbra, Fluorescent Gallery, Knoxville, TN (Solo) - September - October 2019 

Dynamic Static, LMU Center for the Arts, Cumberland Gap, TN (Solo) - Aug - Oct 2019 

Threefold, Tipton Gallery, Johnson City, TN - (Three Person Exhibit) - August 2018 

in//between, Fluorescent Gallery, Knoxville, TN (Solo) - March 2017 

Rabbet, Gallery 1010, Knoxville, TN (Solo) - July 2016 

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Publications 

▸I Like Your Work, MFA Catalog, September 2023

Design Milk, DMTV Milkshake: Kayla Rumpp on Creating a More Colorful World, Design Milk Staff, June 14, 2023

▸Create! Magazine, Issue #37, May 2023

▸Sixth Finch Journal, Winter 2022 Issue, January 2022 

▸Formless Review, Kayla Rumpp’s Celebration of Color and Shadow, Lachlan Hinwood, January 1, 2022 

▸Nashville Scene, Kayla Rumpp’s Playful Sculpture-Paintings Bid a Colorful Goodbye to Channel to Channel, Jo Nolan, Dec 22, 2021 

▸New American Paintings, Issue No. 153, May 2021 

▸Art of Nashville, Art of the Week - Laminae by Kayla Rumpp, July 23, 2020 

▸The Tennessean, “Destill” offers taste of non-objective art, Melinda Baker, Aug 26, 2018 

▸Burnaway, Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood Keeps It Casual, Jo Nolan, Oct 20, 2016 

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Selected Group Exhibitions 

The Big Softie - Soft Times Gallery, San Francisco, CA - February 2024

Space is the Place - Stop-gap Projects, Columbia, MO - November 2023

Summer Showcase - Metropolitan Gallery, Austin, TX - May 2023

Tit for Tat - Public Space One, Iowa City, IA  - May 2023

Scope Art Fair - L Kotler Gallery, Miami Beach, FL - December 2022 

Garden - LADIES' ROOM, Los Angeles, CA - November 2022 

Whispers in the Weeds - The Butterfly House Gallery, Iowa City, IA - September 2022 

UIowa Painting Graduates - James May Gallery, Milwaukee, WI - August 2022 

A Ground to Stand On - Ana Mendieta Gallery, Iowa City, IA - May 2022 

We Need Fibers - Eve Drewelowe Gallery, Iowa City, IA - April 2022 

Love Will Keep Us Together - Ana Mendieta Gallery, Iowa City, IA - February 2022 

AbstracTENN - Channel to Channel Gallery, Chattanooga, TN - Nov 2021 - Jan 2022 

Knoxville Local - East Tennessee Foundation, Knoxville, TN - October 2020 - December 2021 

Art Source 2020 - UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville TN - Online Exhibit - May 2020

Selects - Locate Arts: The Focus - Online Exhibit - March 2020 

GIFC, Elephant Gallery, Nashville TN - May 2019 

Art Source 2019, UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville TN - May 2019 *Received First Place 

Destill, Track One, Nashville, TN - August 2018 

Art Source 2018, UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville TN - May 2018 

Girls Favorite, Fluorescent Gallery, Knoxville, TN - February 2017 

Art Source 2017, UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville TN - May 2017 *Received Juror’s Award 

37917 - 37203, Channel to Channel, Nashville, TN - October 2016 

Chroma, A1 Lab Arts, Knoxville, TN - April 2016 

Orgasme, Gallery 1010, Knoxville TN - April 2016 

69th Annual Student Art Competition, Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture, Knoxville, TN - March 2016 *Received Jerry’s Artarama Award 

AND Show, Gallery 1010, Knoxville TN - October 2015 

Butter My Biscuit, Gallery 1010, Knoxville, TN - April 2015 

68th Student Art Competition, Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture, Knoxville TN- March 2015 

Art in the Library, John C. Hodges Library, University of Tennessee - February 2015 

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Professional Experience 

▸University of Iowa / Instructor of Record / August 2020 - May 2023, Iowa City, IA

▸Knox County Schools / Art Educator / August 2017 - July 2020, Knoxville, TN

▸Fluorescent Gallery / Gallery Assistant / June 2016 - March 2020, Knoxville, TN