As an artist, my work has been driven by an exploration of themes of mental health, memory, and self-identity.
Through Ink, I create abstract depictions of memories, carefully weaving in recognizable elements while intentionally leaving room for viewers to interpret the artwork. This delicate balance creates a dialogue between myself and my past, as well as between the viewer and the meaning they derive from it.
Through Oil, I focus primarily on figures and landscapes. I paint memories as a way to represent not only what I see but also what I feel in the specific moment as a way of giving a sense of permanency to the fleeting moments.
In my most recent work, I have been exploring memories from pivotal moments in my past that have shaped who I am today. My drawings and paintings visually represent the act of reminiscing, and while some memories are clear and easy to digest, others are more ambiguous and require longer to recollect.
Kelly Justin was born in 2001 in Newport Beach, California. She recently received her Bachelor of Art degree at The University of California, Santa Barbara in June of 2023. Previously Justin has studied art at Ryman Arts, The Oxbow School, and Laguna College of Art and Design. Justin has already been included in exhibitions in various cities including Napa Valley, Los Alamitos, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Santa Barbara and recently had a solo exhibition, “Memories & Perceptions,” at the CCS Gallery in Santa Barbara, California.
