Biography
Kim Wilkie was born and raised in London, Ontario and was interested in fine art and the domestic arts early in her life. She was encouraged both in school and at home, and while still in her primary grades was chosen in school to take free art classes at the London Ontario Gallery. This was where she was first introduced to abstract art. On the domestic side Kim’s mother and grandmother also encouraged sewing and crocheting which was sometimes a necessity, but Kim also enjoyed these activities as a pass time.
It seemed a natural progression that Kim would bring her two interests together while raising three children and attending ‘The University of Western Ontario.’ She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree- and in her graduating year she was chosen for the ‘Embroiderer’s Guild Award’ from the London Ontario Embroiderer’s Guild. Two years later at the annual show and sale called ‘Art Mart’ at Museum London, Kim was the recipient of the ‘Peoples Choice Award.’ To Kim her mixture of fine art and the domestic art are unique and in a way describe Kim’s life experience but most importantly create an interesting and unique beauty.
Statement
For a number of years, I have been exploring the boundaries between high art and low art as there seemed to be a dividing line between the two. [fine art verses craft] To achieve this, I combine paint, a traditional masculine medium in fine art, and material and various decorative threads or string, a feminine medium and considered craft, with the hopes of addressing the social political climates within the art world. Using these materials in combination then creates contrasting plains and a new way of exploring traditional painting. It creates an automatic abstraction on canvas, board or paper and to the artist creates exciting new ventures with every art piece. These combinations also give each painting a unique look and feeling through each textural detail.