Winkle, Kimberly

2100 Smallman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | 412.261.7003 | www.contemporarycraft.org

Kimberly Winkle

Employing traditional furniture making techniques and materials, I build forms and structures with results that are, often times, untraditional. My interest lies in the pursuit and potential of the medium as an expressive device versus function being paramount. I use hardwood, paint, and graphite to create my works. The forms are generally streamlined in order to better play the role of an empty canvas for color and line. I activate the wood by painting and drawing onto its surface. This painting is not an act of irreverence for the material; instead I am interested in realizing its potential as something other than its naked self. My color palette is rich yet flat. I animate the painted surface with drawn marks consisting of varied arrangements of lines and dots; the combination of these marks result in an exciting, and somewhat quirky, dialogue of characters. These inscriptions serve as pattern, embellishment, and residual evidence of my hand. I strive to create an apparent sense of spontaneity, nuance, chaos yet order, rhythm and gesture with these marks; all working in concert to imbue the object with individuality and charm.

I am seeking to find a balance of proportion, form and surface enhancement as I transform the common furniture format into something that is very uncommon. My goal, ultimately, is to create an object that is sophisticated yet approachable, has intention but is not overly serious, displays equilibrium between function and design and, in the end, brings pleasure and something new to the user.

To see Kimberly’s resume, click here.