In Bloom: New Works Art Exhibition

The In Bloom art exhibition is new artwork created by Kristen Downing which is currently being displayed at Frank Hayden Hall. Downing is a visual artist that is a native of Kenner, LA and has been creating art for eight years. The art exhibition was curated by Randell Henry, a professor and artist, here at Southern University.
Downing started her art career as a tattoo artist, but decided to start painting and working with charcoal of the black and gray variety. She was selected into Art Basel, a major art gallery in Miami where two pieces from her Protesting in America series were accepted in the gallery. According to Downing, this was a major achievement for a self-independent artist, investing in her own work.
The exhibition opened in February 2020, but because of COVID-19, the exhibition was closed early. As campus has found its balance again; however, the display is now open on a limited basis until the end of the semester.
“The title In Bloom is centered around the blooming of a flower. Except, it means that a person is in full swing. When a person blooms and hits its highest creative point, you’re in bloom now” stated Randell Henry.
In one piece titled Queen Bailey, or the Black Mona Lisa, Downing used acrylic as paint, with house paint on canvas. The painting is of Downing’s friend that she grew up with in New Orleans. The portrait is a light green background with the black women in center glancing over the entire gallery. According to Downing, she wanted magnolia flowers and a rope around the painting to show that it’s protected like the real Mona Lisa is.
Downing described how she has technically been an artist all her life. “I started off seeing my older cousins fool around with drawings and stuff but out of the bunch of us I was the one that took it seriously and from there it became home, part of my healing. I pretty much share our black stories, just keeping our stories alive.”
Downing had two paintings at Southern University when Jade Myers curated a show a few years ago. Mr. Henry discovered her art and felt driven to offer her a solo show.
“Kristen is a muralist. She did murals around the community and had some of her work in the art gallery before. She ran her own art gallery on Government Street and had extraordinary work there. That’s when I realized her work would look good altogether in a big one person show. So, in this exhibition she focused on all her newer work,” stated Randell Henry.
In the center of the gallery there are paint cans with spray paint being a major part of her artwork. The paint cans produced work such as interpretations of Shirley Chisholm, Malcom X, Mary McLeod Bethune, all famous black trailblazers in their own ways.
The exhibition contains drawings from Downing’s Blue Book series. Along with special intricate hand drawings of Fred Hampton, Jean Michael Basquiat, Ruby Bridges, Malcom X, the exhibition encompasses many art pieces: the Baby Dolls, Through the Lens, Brave Little Girl, Son of NOLA, Planting My Seed, Self Portrait, and Queen Bailey to name a few.
The work titled Planting My Seed featured the use of paint and markers on canvas. It is showcased on a wall alone with a man dressed in all white with blue flowers blooming from his face. The canvas encourages people to plant your seed, water it, and watch it grow. The background is different color brush strokes and black hands aiming towards the body.
According to Downing, the piece that she favors the most is “Brave Little Girl.” The artwork is pens and markers on paper and illustrated a rendition of Ruby Bridges being escorted into William France elementary school. “That piece reminds me of myself, “stated Kirsten Downing.
A piece from the Black Dollar series is also in the exhibit with Madam C.J. Walker in the center of a white and purple ten-thousand-dollar bill. The series is based on how Harriet Tubman was supposed to be on a twenty-dollar bill still isn’t. Downing expressed,” I don’t wait on anything, I create my own lane; I’ll make them see me and they’ll want to work with me.”
So, during the pandemic she did a painting of Harriet Tubman, Madam C. J Walker, and Fredrick Douglass on a twenty-dollar bill. She kept it going and thought of the Black Dollar as new money and new opportunities.
Downing adores how her art becomes a history lesson that is educational and the idea that onlookers are leaving with something to think about. Her work is brimming with loud colors and is bold in your face. “My art isn’t afraid to tell our stories, my art will make you smile, cry, and feel uncomfortable,” stated Downing.
She encourages aspiring artists to “speak out loud and let your voice be heard.”
Downing opened the only black art gallery in Baton Rouge, the Kawd Art Gallery. She held a space for artists where they had no limitations. The gallery was closed due to the pandemic.
Follow her Instagram @kawdartgallery to view visuals of the art mentioned and to view her new work. The exhibit is open to the public. Contact Randell Henry to reserve a time to view the art gallery. [email protected] or 225-771-4109
Moreover, in the spring semester studio classes are being brought back. Including courses on printmaking, graphic design, and oil painting to showcase student work in the art gallery. The student does not have to be a major or minor in Fine Arts. Any student can bring in their artwork and be considered. Additionally, Friday paint sessions are held in Hayden Hall from 11:00- 12:30 until the end of the semester.