Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaley Weil.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with creating art, however, I never thought of it as a realistic career. When I got to college, I considered other majors but my passion for art prevailed and I ended up earning my BFA from Northwestern University with a double major in Art, Theory and Practice (ATP) and Psychology, graduating with honors in 2020. Today, I am in the process of pursuing my Master of Fine Arts.
My artwork has been featured in multiple short films and music videos, as well as two group exhibitions and most recently, a solo pop-up exhibition titled WomenTM. I have been commissioned to work paintings, murals and wearable art, including jackets, shoes and a series of paintings on vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, and I’ve designed and produced my own line of handmade feminist street-style hoodies.
It has been extremely rewarding collaborating with different people and spreading my message of female empowerment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth, but I’ve come to learn that it never is. As a female artist, people often incorrectly assume that I am not intelligent and refuse to take me seriously.
Furthermore, with artwork that embraces female sexuality with the goal of empowering women, I remember receiving very strong negative feedback from an older male professor of mine who told me that there was no place for or purpose to my art. This feedback initially shook my confidence until I received some incredible advice from a different professor of mine who said “if people are responding this strongly to your work, you’re probably doing something right.”
I’ve come to understand that the people who react like this have internalized the idea that women’s bodies should be controlled by men. As a result, they are uncomfortable when women take ownership over their sexuality and their bodies, leading to resentment, dismissal, and even anger. Understanding this has allowed me to develop confidence in my message, my talent and my overall practice.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work explores the complexities of femininity, sexuality and American consumer culture as they relate to the sexualized female form.
Growing up as part of the “social media generation”, I have witnessed the way that women are harassed, criticized and slut-shamed online no matter what they do. In response, I began painting modernized female nudes, reflective of the types of images that women often post of themselves online and that have come to define social media. My goal is to recontextualize and reclaim the objectified female form, empowering women and reaffirming the essence of modern feminism: individual choice.
I feel most proud of the responses I received to my work, particularly at my most recent show, WomenTM, a pop-up exhibition that I produced and curated. During the night of the show, I overheard discussion about what pieces people were drawn to, what elements made them uncomfortable and their thoughtful investigation as to why. I heard conversations about consent and how there’s no such thing as asking for it, and I heard women candidly sharing their own stories of harassment and abuse.
I had dozens of people approach me, sharing how empowered my exhibition made them feel, and I am incredibly proud to have created a space that allowed for these kinds of reactions and conversations.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
For me, Covid-19 has served as a reminder about the importance of community. During quarantine, I recognized that my age and health put me in a position of privilege and I felt obligated to help care for other members of my community. I looked for ways I could be of service and ended up buying groceries and other necessities for elderly and immunocompromised individuals who were unable go to the store, as well as joining a task force where I called people to check in and see if anyone needed additional assistance.
During a time of fear and uncertainty, the mutual feeling of safety and security derived from these interpersonal connections helped remind me how important it is to come together as a community.
Contact Info:
- Email: kaley@kweil.art
- Website: www.kweil.art
- Instagram: @kweil.art
