On Friday, Sept. 19, at 1310 Gallery, Indian-born artist Kohl King will unveil “Soft Edges,” her most vulnerable collection to date. The artworks on view will examine her prism of grief as a way to interpret the tragedy of losing her family in rapid succession.
The exhibition’s theme stems from King’s emotional experiences over the past eight years. In December 2017, her parents were involved in separate, unforeseen accidents resulting in the untimely passing of her father and the inability of her mother to independently care for herself. Soon after, her only sibling, consumed by his addiction, vanished without a word.
“I quickly moved across the country to support and care for my mother in our family home, as she now required daily hands-on help and advocacy, leaving my established career, home, partner and friends in Los Angeles behind,” says King. “Everything that was vital to my sense of self, my history, and my understanding of what I needed, desired and knew disappeared in less than a month.”
King says that while she was grateful to be by her mother’s side during her final years, she also faced significant emotional turmoil as she dealt with the profound sorrow surrounding her other losses. Her emotional state continued to worsen during the pandemic, which further cut her off from her community and support system.
“Before my mother died last summer, I gradually realized that while grief cast a long, dark shadow, it also resembled a prism,” explains King. “When viewed from various angles, it allowed me to repeatedly tap into the profound love I hold for my family and the moments we experienced together; it aided me in reinforcing my own foundation and sharpening my perspectives.”
The gallery exhibition will feature a variety of works on paper, a departure for King, who usually works in 3D and installation art using unconventional materials. With funding from an Artist Support Grant from the Broward County Cultural Division, she was able to fund some of the materials and supplies to support this collection, giving her greater freedom to try out methods she hadn’t previously explored.
“I decided to revert to more traditional 2D media for this exhibition, as it seemed the most appropriate way to investigate color and landscape, which are mainly utilized to represent expansiveness, communicate feelings and evoke memories,” shares King.
The Indian sutra: Tat Tvam Asi (I Am That) has become key for both King and her work. “Essentially, it suggests that when I observe qualities in another person or situation that I either admire or dislike, it is because those same qualities exist within me,” she shares.
King relates it to the feeling of falling in love, where the world seems more vibrant, as well as experiencing profound sadness, where everything can feel dark and burdensome. “This principle has always guided me in realizing we are all connected. In this show, though, I am visually exploring my own personal experiences, I also am aware that I am not alone—that we all experience intense losses at some point in our lives.”
And while loss is not a unique concept, King feels grief itself is a deeply personal journey that changes each individual and continues to shape them as they move forward. “As a visual artist, what I feel most comfortable with and also best expresses my thoughts and feelings is the visual form,” says King. “Colors, textures, shapes, lines, etc., whether abstract, symbolic or used conceptually, allow me to process layers of confusing emotions and thoughts into something I can see and then step back to redefine the experiences.” For King, making art has offered the consistency she needs to feel both grounded and centered.
Though “Soft Edges” has provided partial healing and catharsis to King, she admits it will be a lifelong process. “I am still embracing life again,” she says.
WHAT: “Soft Edges” Exhibition by Kohl King
WHERE: 1310 Gallery – Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, 1310 SW 2nd Ct., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19
COST: Free
INFORMATION: 954-728-3484 or sailboatbendartists.com
