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 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.
Kimberly Orjuela received her B.F.A from Concordia University in 2023. In 2022 she was an artist in residence at the Guldagergaard – International Ceramics Research Center in Denmark. She has been selected by NCECA for the Multicultural fellowship in 2024. Kimberly’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, in galleries, at the Outsider Art fair in New York City, and is included in various collection such as collection Majudia and The Gardiner Museum. She has her first solo exhibition at La Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce in September 2024. She will be part of a group exhibition 2025 NCECA Multicultural Fellowship at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Utha in March 2025.
SOLO EXHBITIONS + Upcoming
Eternal Tales
Maison de la Culture NDG. Montréal, Québec
Fall 2024
Our Minds Create our Reality McClure Gallery. Montréal, Québec
Winter 2025
2025 NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition (group)
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.
Utah, United States
Winter 2025
What Kind of Ancestor you want to be Caravanserail. Rimouski, Québec
Summer 2026
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
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
Canada Council for the Arts
Concept to Realization
Canada
2024
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