Kelly Niceley, submitted artwork
Kelly Niceley
Painting, Sculpture, Video, Installation
Bronx, New York
Kelly Niceley runs a private psychotherapy practice in the Bronx, NY called The Peace and Protection Healing Arts Collective, concurrently developing works in her artistic practice. Her collection is informed by her therapy work and emphasizes activism and social justice issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Born in Silver Spring, MD, Kelly trained at Bard College in painting, sculpture, and mixed media under the tutelage of Kenji Fujita, Amy Sillman, and Juana Valdes, among other celebrated contemporary artists, earning her BA in Studio Art in 2003. In 2009, she completed her MPS in Creative Arts Therapy from the Pratt Institute, and obtained her license to practice psychotherapy in 2011. For eight years, Kelly worked with HIV+ adults in medical and mental health treatment, conducting art therapy groups centered on trauma recovery, overcoming stigma, and issues of grief and spirituality. As a result, her artwork was heavily informed by her therapy practice. Kelly is a practicing Buddhist dedicated to utilizing the arts to bring about safety and tranquility for the peace of the world at large.
Works
Kelly Niceley, submitted artwork
Dealing with the edge of living—the anxiety, trauma, and fear—tempered by the parts that make life worth it—love, touch, and excitement—informs the colors and shapes that come to me. My artistic process unfolds intuitively and rather unpredictably. I describe events using imagery. Once I realize what event is being described, the piece starts to take shape. The work is always about identity, often injustice, sometimes optimism. Fundamentally, these pieces focus on joy, pain and rage. Through memorial and celebration, my goal is to elevate the oppressed and marginalized, thereby creating an increased sense of honor, power, and safety. I do this to achieve a greater sense of peace in myself and hopefully in the viewer.
