Contact/About Me: - Kelly Joy Ladd

Kellyjoyladd@gmail.com

Artist Statement:

My art practice is rooted in the understanding that works of art function as carriers of energy, transmitting subtle forces through material form. Informed by decades of study in physics, astronomy, and spiritual inquiry, I investigate how forces such as intention, love, and memory are embedded in objects and felt by those who encounter them.

I work primarily with paper, building three-dimensional relief sculptures through a variety of texture techniques. I incorporate natural materials like water and soil, collected with purpose from specific and meaningful locations, like Wekiva Springs, a place that has been sacred to me for most of my life. Memories and energy of these places are held within the elements themselves and transmitted into the work.

Through intention and my training in energetic healing, I embed specific energies, like love, joy, wonder, kindness, compassion, gratitude, and peace, into the work as I make it. The finished work radiates these energies.

My practice is in dialogue with Hilma af Klint, Emma Kunz, and Guadalupe Maravilla, whose work engages ritual, spirituality, and the rendering of unseen phenomena into physical form, and with Ana Mendieta, whose work explores the energetic memory of materials and place.

“My art is grounded on the belief in one universal energy which runs through all being and matter, all space and time.” — Ana Mendieta

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” – Carl Sagan

Biography:

Ladd‘s work responds to themes of cosmic and creative mysteries, exploring inner and outer space, spiritually, the connection of all things and understanding the universe and our roles and purpose in it.

Ladd’s Liberal Studies degree from the University of Central Florida allowed her to opportunity to explore the subjects that peaked her curiosity like astronomy, physics, anthropology, environmental science and creative writing. During this time, she also discovered eastern philosophies and meditation, which has been a staple and major influence in her life and art practice.

Before becoming a full-time artist in 2019, she worked as a Disney World parade performer, music writer for HardRock.com, lifestyle editor and prop stylist for Parenting magazine and a freelance craft designer and blogger. All the while, she was developing her own creative style and unique techniques using paper as her main medium, due to her husband’s adverse health reactions to chemicals and paint.

In March 2020, Ladd experienced a significant head injury, which greatly affected her vision. Since then, she has been retraining her brain and eyes to refocus and track again. During her recovery when she wasn’t able to read, watch TV, or look at phones and computers, Ladd used this time, without outside distractions or influences, to devote her full attention to her art and meditation practices.

Her 3-D paper and mixed media work has been exhibited in the Orlando Museum of Art, Mint Museum and the Mennello Museum of American Art , as well as in the permanent collection for a number of hospitals.

Ladd’s intuitive artistic approach aligns her with her influences transcendental artists Hilma af Klint and Agnes Pelton.

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