Local Artist Spotlight: Katie Joy Nellis

This week we are highlighting artwork of the ridiculously talented Katie Joy Nellis. Katie Joy’s work is currently being featured in the Square Halo Gallery, located a block off Gallery Row, on the first floor of The Trust Performing Arts Center. The last two days to see the exhibit in person will be July 3 and August 7, from 6–9 pm during First Friday in Lancaster City.

Read more about the series and get a sneak peek at some of the art below.

Artist Statement

The theme of this series, “Beauty in Brokenness”, was inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi.

Kintsugi, translated as “golden joinery”, is a practice of repairing broken pottery with resin and gold. The repaired pottery is all the more precious, durable, and beautiful as a result of being broken and mended.

These paintings explore fragility and strength, using gold and semi-abstract elements to communicate the story of each person represented.

I met with models and spent time interviewing, sketching and photographing them. Models shared about their experiences, the words and songs that have sustained them, and the hopes they have for the future. I took note of their favorite colors, numbers, elements, animals, and the meaning of their names – all of which informed the composition of their portraits.

These portraits tell stories of struggle and hope, wading into the messiness of life and inviting honest conversation about otherness, identity, and redemption. I pray the encounter will leave you encouraged.

Wherever we find ourselves now, our stories are not finished.

-Katie Joy Nellis