BIOGRAPHY
Born into an artistic family Chippie Kennedy was surrounded by inspiration.
At an early age she developed a keen interest in the presentation of the human figure and the body as a hanger or show- piece for clothing. This led her to pursue a degree in Fashion Design from Ryerson University where she explored the movement of the body and cloth and what it presents to the viewer. Soon after, Chippie pursued a career designing on 7th Ave. in New York City. However, her fascination with texture and movement grew stronger with time pushing Chippie to explore the deeper qualities of the human form through new mediums ~ clay and bronze. After years of dressing the human figure from the outside, she was able to attain the knowledge and appreciation of the body’s complex internal structure through her three-years of study at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence Italy.
For Chippie, her transition from cloth to clay represents the search for one’s inner self, expressed and inspired by the human spirit and form.
Prior to studying sculpture in Florence, Chippie studied at the National Academy of Art and Design and the Arts Students League in New York. She now divides her time between her studios in Millbrook, New York and Kingsburg, Nova Scotia, Can.
Born into an artistic family Chippie Kennedy was surrounded by inspiration.
At an early age she developed a keen interest in the presentation of the human figure and the body as a hanger or show- piece for clothing. This led her to pursue a degree in Fashion Design from Ryerson University where she explored the movement of the body and cloth and what it presents to the viewer. Soon after, Chippie pursued a career designing on 7th Ave. in New York City. However, her fascination with texture and movement grew stronger with time pushing Chippie to explore the deeper qualities of the human form through new mediums ~ clay and bronze. After years of dressing the human figure from the outside, she was able to attain the knowledge and appreciation of the body’s complex internal structure through her three-years of study at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence Italy.
For Chippie, her transition from cloth to clay represents the search for one’s inner self, expressed and inspired by the human spirit and form.
Prior to studying sculpture in Florence, Chippie studied at the National Academy of Art and Design and the Arts Students League in New York. She now divides her time between her studios in Millbrook, New York and Kingsburg, Nova Scotia, Can.
CV
2023, Small Pieces, Laurie Swim Gallery, Group Exhibition, Lunenburg NS
2023 – Posturing, The Ice House, Group Exhibition, Tatamagouche NS
2022 – Posturing, Nova Scotia Archives, Group Exhibition, Halifax NS
2022 – Being Ourselves’, Society of Canadian Artists, Atlantic, Members Exhibition, 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery, Halifax NS
2022 – Featured Artist, Grand Re-Opening Laurie Swim Gallery
2022 – Being Ourselves’, Society of Canadian Artists, Atlantic, Members Exhibition, 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery, Halifax NS
2022 – Featured Artist, Grand ReOpening Laurie Swim Gallery
2021 – Florence Academy of Art 30th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition – FAA Today
2021 – Society of Canadian Artists, 53rd Open Juried Exhibition
2021 – The Pandemic: A Sculptor’s View, Group Exhibition
2021 – Contemporary Art Curator Magazine “INFINITE DREAMS”
2020 – International Sculpture Society Professional Members Showcase
2020 – Solo Show, Laurie Swim Gallery (solo show), Lunenburg, NS
2019 – Spectrum – Red Dot, Miami Art Week, Miami FL
2018 – Solo Show, DWD Gallery, Halifax, NS
• Finalist, 15th International ARC Salon, 2020 – CIRQUE DEUX
• Semi Finalist, 15th International ARC Salon, 2020 – CIRQUE UN, CIRQUE DEUX, MAUD and AVIV
• First Place award, Circle Foundation for the Arts, Spectrum Miami Contest, 2019 – LAZY RIVER
• Master Artist of Today, Pier 21 Halifax, 2019
• 6th Place Award for Non-Commissioned work, Portrait Society of America, 2018 – NIOBE
2018 – National Sculpture Society 85th Annual Awards Exhibition, juried group show
2018 – Salmagundi 40th Annual Open Exhibition, Painting, Sculpture, Graphics & Photography, juried group show
2017 – The 52nd Founders Juried Awards Exhibition, Group exhibition
2016 – 51st Founders Exhibition Naples Art Association FL, Group exhibition
2016 – Jurors Choice Award, 51st Founders Exhibition, Naples FL
2016 – Juried Art Fair, Vero Beach, FL
2016 – Juried Art Fair, Naples FL
2016 – Haynes Gallery, group shows, Nashville TN
2015 – Haynes Gallery, Art for Women by Women, Nashville TN
2014 – Bontecou Gallery, Millbrook NY, Group exhibition
2014 – American Portrait Society, Juried Exhibition
2014 – Chiaroscuro: Impressions and Imprints, Richard Massey Foundation NY
2012 – Sculpture for a New Century, SUNY Newburgh, NY
2012 – Florence Academy of Art Alumni, juried exhibition, Italy
2009 – National Academy Museum and School of Fine Art, juried exhibition
STATEMENT
At a young age I developed a love for the human figure, I saw the body as a show piece for clothing. Hence, I began my career as a fashion designer on 7th Ave, NYC. After years of designing, my fascination with texture, drape, form and movement left me wanting to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the physical body beneath the clothing I was creating. I realized that I no longer wanted to dress the body but, to sculpt it.
My work and process are intuitive and organic, I seek to give life to my clay and composition. With each piece I endeavour to expose the raw nature of the body and its form, be it human or animal. I view my work as an invitation to the onlooker to be enjoyed and experienced through both sight and feel. Each touch or brush of a hand brings subtle changes to a finished piece of sculpture. At that moment, the piece belongs as much to the viewer as it does to the artist.
