Kimberly Orjuela is a Colombian-born visual artist currently based in Montreal, Canada. She is a storyteller using her position as a woman part of the Latinx diaspora to create figurative sculptures with terracotta clay that draw inspiration from artistic traditions in pre-Columbian history.

Her characters, figures and idols created are references of the past while adding her own lens as a woman part of the Latinx diaspora. She uses clay to connect with her indigenous ancestry in which the traditions and history have faded due to several generations of assimilation in her family lineage. The past serves as a guidance for the future, and Kimberly’s work creates a bridge between these two timelines. Her characters take forms from her imagination of animals and figures envisioning the past and the present meeting simultaneously into our contemporary realm exploring current issues. The teachings she receives from researching the meanings, history, symbolism of pre-Columbian art and postcolonial theory are used to understand how the effects of colonization remain psychologically embedded in people and structurally in societal systems.

Her work explores ways we can decolonize our minds by rewriting undervalued histories through clay. Kimberly’s work is an effort toward preserving, uplifting, and focusing attention on her culture while strengthening her connection to her ancestors and providing a sense of purpose in her community. She channels her creative energy into the exploration of her cultural and spiritual roots. For her, the act of artmaking is a testament to her commitment to honor the earth. Kimberly's dedication is evident in her exclusive use of organic processes to paint her creations, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between her art and the natural world.

Her work has been exhibited in Montreal at La Centrale Galerie (2021), Pierre François Ouellette Art Contemporain (2022), Art Mùr (2023) and McClure Gallery (2023). Her practice has been supported by grants from Concordia University (2021,2022,2023) and the Guldagergaard – International Ceramics Research Center (Skælskør, DE) where she was an artist-in-residence in 2022. She will exhibit her work at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City in 2024

SOLO EXHBITIONS + Upcoming

Guidance From the Past
Maison de la Culture NDG. Montréal, Québec
Fall 2024

Our Minds Create our Reality McClure Gallery. Montréal, Québec
Winter 2025

What Kind of Ancestor you want to be Caravanserail. Rimouski, Québec
Summer 2026

COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS

Radar
Galerie Hugues Charbonneau
Montréal, Québec
Spring 2024

Officium
Alma’s Gallery.
Richmond, Unites States
Winter 2024

Del la Tierra al Cielo
Casa Taller El Boga.
Mompox, Colombia
Winter 2024

Artch Festival 6th Edition    Artch.
Montréal, Québec
Fall 2023

Tianguis de Céramica
Tap Art Space.
Montréal, Québec
Summer 2023

Graduation Exhibition                     Vav Gallery.
Montréal, Québec
Summer 2023

Everything Already Present    Art-Mùr.
Montréal, Québec
Winter 2023

ART FAIRS

Outsider Art Fair New York, United States
Winter 2024

RESIDENCIES

Casa Taller El Boga    Mompox, Colombia
Winter 2024

Atelier 43 art
The Belgo Bulding Montréal, Québec
2023-24

Guldagergaard – International Ceramics Research Center
Skælskor, Denmark
Spring 2022

AWARDS/GRANTS

NCECA Multicultural Fellowship    Richmond, Unites States
2024

Creation Grant ARTCH Montréal, Canada
2023

CCSL Special Project funding    Concordia University.
Montréal, Québec
2023

Elspeth McConnell Fine Arts Internship Award    Concordia University.
Montréal, Québec
2022

Best Drawing Award
John Abbott College.
Montréal, Québec
2017

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2024