Xray is Flying in “The Spaceships”
Xavier Kelley -xraykelleyart@gmail.com
X
December 9th - 10th, at the Cream Creative Space 2250 NW 22nd Ave Unit #409, Fl 4, Portland, OR 97210
For Immediate Release
X: at Cream Creative Space is an opportunity for audiences to view the newest works by Xavier Raymond Kelly, December 9th and 10th only. This show is a culmination of the work, connections, and opportunities which transcend the canvas into new relationships, fashion, design, and collaboration in Kelley’s still young career.
Xavier Kelley’s abstract and saturated artistic style has evolved from a childhood practice of sketching graffiti in blackbooks with his cousin, transitioning to the canvas more heavily in 2019. Kelley likens his artistic practice to that of a music producer sampling records of various time periods and places to craft new soundscapes. Afrofuturism is a powerful theme in Kelley’s work as a primary creative focus for him is examining and reimagining historical lexicons and iconography. Time travel, quantum physics, and abstract scientific concepts are heavily researched, sampled, and referenced in Kelley’s creative process. The result is the construction of a greater narrative throughout his pieces, a deviation from the linear concept of time. By stepping into this perspective, Kelley hopes viewers are inspired to open their minds to varying interpretations of the human experience, unlocking potential for an emergent understanding of the future. The burgeoning of this multi-dimensional world that Kelley inhabits in his art has been catalyzed by a specific biological subject: The Jumper’s Foot. The Jumper’s Foot, present throughout Kelley’s work as a visual motif, represents the athletic form, technique, movement, and planning required for marginalized people to move up in contemporary society. Certain groups are not afforded the privilege to maneuver society flat-footed, metaphorically speaking. Marginalized people in contrast are kept on their toes, requiring the power and agility of the Jumper’s Foot to leap from low to high.
Kelley is looking forward to showing a personal piece, “The Spaceships” (pictured below), a shoe collaboration between Kelly and cobbler Miguel Balagot; they will be presented as an installation at Cream Creative Space. For Kelley, this show represents his time spent in Portland cultivated into an opportunity to share, show, and sell his work in a new city. He would like to extend special thanks to Chad Troyer, Michael Knight, and Jenny Chok for their efforts in making this showing possible. Kelley is confident in this show’s ability to highlight his ability to extend into fashion as a medium for his art going forward.
The Spaceships
become extraterrestrial
Xavier Kelley:
With paintings currently featured in local establishments and galleries, Xavier is an up and coming artist in the Seattle scene. He is looking to expand his network of collaborators, galleries, buyers, curators, and collectors. Kelley can be contacted at the email xraykelleyart@gmail.com for further inquiry, and is available on Instagram @xavierrkelley. His digital portfolio is located at https://www.xray-visions.com/gallery
