Threading Identity: Fiber Portraits by Kandy G Lopez at The Armory Show

Kandy G Lopez, an Afro-Caribbean American artist, has brought her unique fiber portraits to The Armory Show 2024. As I entered Booth 121, Lopez’s larger-than-life creations towered over me, transforming the ACA Galleries‘ space into a vibrant exhibition that weaves together identity, culture, and artistic innovation.

From Humble Beginnings to Artistic Innovation

Lopez’s journey into the art world is as colorful and multifaceted as her artwork. “I never knew I wanted to do art until it was like a last resort,” she confessed, recounting her introduction to art in middle school. Born in New Jersey and raised in Miami, Lopez’s artistic awakening came in an unlikely place – an underfunded inner-city school where art supplies were a luxury.

Despite these limitations, or perhaps because of them, Lopez’s creativity flourished. “By eighth grade, when I started drawing people, I fell in love,” she recalled. This passion carried her through high school at New World School of the Arts, where she experienced a stark contrast in resources and opportunities.

The Serendipitous Birth of Fiber Portraits

Lopez’s artistic evolution took an unexpected turn in 2015 when a piece of thread accidentally fell onto one of her collages. “I could just use a thread as a power line,” she mused, revealing the spark that ignited her current medium. This serendipitous moment led to a deeper exploration of fiber as a metaphor for human connection and identity.

Work by Kandy G Lopez at The Armory Show in New York, ACA Galleries — Work by Kandy G Lopez at The Armory Show 2024 in New York, ACA Galleries, Photography by Amon Focus

A Unique Artistic Process

As we stood before her monumental works, Lopez explained her process with the enthusiasm of a scientist discussing a groundbreaking discovery. “I take each pattern as a painting,” she said, pointing out the interplay of dark, medium, and highlight tones in her intricate yarn work. The result is a stunning fusion of texture and color that brings her subjects to life with startling vibrancy.

Scale and Impact

The scale of Lopez’s portraits is intentional and impactful. “I want them to feel grandiose,” she explained. “I want them to be present, confrontational, but also show a little bit of vulnerability.” This duality reflects Lopez’s own experiences navigating cultural identity as a Dominican-American growing up in diverse urban environments.

From Art Basel to The Armory Show

Lopez’s journey to gallery representation is a testament to the power of persistence and networking. A chance encounter during Art Basel in Miami led to a connection with art agent Heather Carter, which ultimately brought her work to the attention of ACA Galleries. “I was like, what is happening?” Lopez laughed, recalling her disbelief at the sudden interest in her work.

Balancing Art, Academia, and Life

Now an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Arts at NOVA Southeastern University, Lopez balances her artistic practice with teaching and motherhood. “I’ve become really, really obsessed with art,” she admitted. “For me to be a happier human being, I have to go to the gym… and I have to make art.”

The Impact of Representation

As our conversation drew to a close, Lopez’s eyes lit up when discussing the impact of her work. “It makes me so happy when I see people looking at the work, especially people that look like me, looking at people that look like them,” she said, her voice filled with genuine joy.

Kandy G Lopez’s fiber portraits at The Armory Show are more than just visually stunning works of art. They are a celebration of identity, a challenge to preconceptions, and a testament to the power of artistic innovation. As I left the booth, I couldn’t help but feel that I had witnessed not just an exhibition but a powerful statement about the complexity and beauty of human experience, thread by colorful thread.