Kemê
Kemê is a neurodivergent multidisciplinary artist, poet and parent of Sephardi/Mizrahi/Spanish descent based in Helsinki.—her art practice travers the blurry readings of memory, myths, representation, symbols, and rites.
She intuitively embraces multiple mediums, such as photography, performance, installation, and text, as languages bridging the constructions we inhabit and our complexities. She perceives art as a tool closer to the magic realm, able to move us through the spiritual and the subconscious.
Over the years, Kemê's artistic process has become increasingly intertwined with facilitation. For example, in her crossdisciplinary, "Villi Akka," she uses a character based on the wild and wise woman archetypes to use the power of tales, myths, and archetypes to challenge the negative images given historically by the binary opposition system and ultimately foster community through open workshops, readings, talks, and rituals.
www: onehatmanyheads.com
IG: @villiakka
Kemê’s time at Kunsthaus Jägermeister has been focused on testing an exploration following two main directions:
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Restoring and recycling materials and damaged objects give them artistic status and the means to serve as ritual objects.
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She was researching and testing ideas for her new project, which is focused on the number 5 and the Hamsa* symbol.
* Khamsa, Jamsah خمسة Jamsah, חַמְסָה Hamsa,: ⵜⴰⴼⵓⵙⵜ Tafust, also known as Fatima’s hand or Fatimas eye.
As Kemê’s artistic process coexists and collides with her current responsibilities as the primary caregiver of two kids and an older person, one of the most positive impacts of the residency on her practice has been the possibility for free exploration and testing without expectations of physical final production. The transparency in communications with the curator and fellow artists and the multiple possibilities of the space allowed for dialogue and understanding to accommodate their different needs and to learn about each other.
Embrace, 2024.
Work in progress.
Art object.
200 x 150 cm
At the moment, Cotton fabric, wool yarn, and ornaments.
Embrace is a work in progress belonging to Kemê’s new project, which is focused on the number 5 and the Hamsa* symbol.
The final piece aims to become an oversized stuffed object resembling a hand-shaped figure with an eye or an alternative dimension creature. The object could be embraced, held, carried, etc., and the possibility of interaction would be further explored through performance, installation, and ritual.
* Khamsa, Jamsah خمسة Jamsah, חַמְסָה Hamsa,: ⵜⴰⴼⵓⵙⵜ Tafust ,also known as Fatima’s hand or Fatimas eye.
Circle II, 2024.
Art object.
Pigments, linseed oil, acrylic paint, varnish.
70 cm diameter.
Circle II is a pilot art object born from the desire to restore damaged objects to give them artistic status and the means to serve as ritual objects.
The design of the table repeats the intention and motifs of “Circle” (2023), an embroidered tablecloth on traditional “mesa de Camilla,” where the round table holds an essential status in intimate dialogical interactions and the passing of traditions and knowledge.
Shroud, 2024.
Art object.
Gold leaf, metal tray, iron, wood, acrylic paint, duck tape, bulb and cable.
? cm diameter.
Shroud is a pilot or test art object born from the desire to restore damaged objects to give them artistic status and the means to serve as functional ritual objects.
Shroud is a test for Kemê’s new project, which is focused on the number 5 and the Hamsa* symbol.
* Khamsa, Jamsah خمسة Jamsah, חַמְסָה Hamsa,: ⵜⴰⴼⵓⵙⵜ Tafust ,also known as Fatima’s hand or Fatimas eye.