Kylee Henderson

Artist Statement:

My artistic practice serves as a profound act of healing, both for myself and those who engage with my artwork. In a world where we all face struggles, reflection and release are vital. I make what I make because, through art, I can express what words often cannot. My work allows me to process my emotions, my experiences, and my identity in a way that feels both safe and cathartic. I aim to create a space where vulnerability and openness are encouraged, a space where healthy outlets are more accessible than unhealthy coping mechanisms. The struggles, the good, the bad, and everything in between all shape my work, and through it, I hope to create a sense of connection and understanding with others.

I create self-portraits and mixed-media works, often using ceramics, torn paper, and bandages. These materials symbolize the themes of breakage, repair, and healing that are central to my practice. Ceramics, with its inherent fragility and difficulty in repairing cracks once fired, mirrors the emotional fractures I explore in my art. Torn paper, which can be reassembled but retains its scars, reflects the lasting impact of past experiences. Bandages, which I have recently incorporated, represent both physical and emotional healing, offering reassurance that no wound is beyond repair. These materials allow me to visually communicate both the process of healing and the scars that remain.

The process I use to make my work involves acts of removal and repair—tearing, carving, breaking, and reassembling. These actions symbolize how we alter, lose, or rebuild parts of ourselves throughout our lives. I engage in this process to confront my own emotional struggles and to create something that represents that journey. I don’t shy away from the messiness of life, and my work reflects that—sometimes the materials are broken or torn, but they are put back together with intention and care. This process allows me to release the emotions within me and make sense of my experiences. Through this therapeutic approach, I aim to create pieces that heal me and offer comfort to those who experience them, helping others feel less alone and more understood.