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, where 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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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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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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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