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Kim Victoria Abeles, was (born on August 28, 1952) in Richmond Heights, Missouri. Her birth name was Kim Victoria Wright. However, she moved to the sunny side of California and now resides in Los Angeles. She is a highly accomplished American multidisciplinary artist who is frequently characterized as an activist due to the social and political nature of her work. Over the course of her career, her artistic endeavors have served as an illuminating lens, bringing attention to contemporary issues and societal struggles, all of which find expression through the various objects and artworks she has meticulously created. Abeles has created artworks that address topics such as air pollution, cultural diversity, and the impact of technology on society. One of her well-known projects is the Smog Collector series, where she used specially designed surfaces to collect particulate matter from the air and then used these smog particles to create visual representations of air pollution. Throughout her career, Kim Abeles has exhibited her work extensively in galleries and museums both in the United States and internationally. Her art has been recognized for its innovative approach and its engagement with critical issues facing contemporary society.

Kim Abeles is known for her innovative and socially engaged artwork that often revolves around environmental themes. She has gained recognition for her unique approaches to artmaking and her commitment to using her creativity to address pressing environmental issues. Some of the key aspects for which Kim Abeles is known include:

’Smog Collector’
One of her most well-known works is the "Smog Collector" series, where she created art using specially designed panels that captured air pollution from different locations. Through this project, she visualized the impact of air quality on various environments and brought attention to the issue of air pollution.

It is a groundbreaking and impactful body of work that addresses environmental concerns, particularly air pollution, in a unique and artistic way. Here's an overview of the "Smog Collector Series" and its significance:

The "Smog Collector Series" is a long-term project that involves the creation of art installations using specialized panels that capture air pollutants from the environment. These panels are placed in various locations, allowing them to accumulate the residue of pollution over time. The collected pollutants create intricate and visually compelling patterns on the panels, providing a tangible representation of the quality of the air in different areas.

Key points about the "Smog Collector Series":Art and Environmental Awareness: The series blurs the lines between art and environmental activism. By turning pollution into art, Abeles raises awareness about the critical issue of air quality and its impact on public health and the environment.


 * Visualizing Invisible Threats: Air pollution is often invisible to the naked eye, making it challenging for people to grasp its severity. The "Smog Collector Series" transforms this invisible threat into a visible, tangible form, making it easier for viewers to comprehend and relate to the issue.
 * Location-Specific Installations: The panels are strategically placed in different areas, capturing pollutants from specific environments. This approach allows for a comparison of air quality between various locations and encourages conversations about pollution disparities within a city or region.
 * Documenting Change Over Time: As pollutants accumulate on the panels, they create evolving patterns that document changes in air quality over days, weeks, or months. This dynamic aspect of the project underscores the ongoing nature of environmental challenges.
 * Community Engagement: The project often involves local communities, schools, and organizations. Through workshops and collaborations, Abeles empowers individuals to become active participants in addressing air pollution and environmental concerns.
 * Conversation Starter: The "Smog Collector Series" serves as a conversation starter, sparking discussions about air quality, industrial emissions, transportation, and the need for sustainable practices.
 * Artistic Transformation: By taking something harmful and transforming it into art, Abeles challenges conventional notions of creativity and beauty while highlighting the urgency of addressing pollution.
 * Public Display: The collected panels are exhibited in galleries, museums, and public spaces, allowing a wider audience to experience the visual impact of pollution and prompting contemplation about the environment.

Overall, Kim Abeles' "Smog Collector Series" exemplifies the power of art to engage the public on critical environmental issues and encourages a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between human activity, pollution, and the health of our planet.

’Environmental Activism’
Abeles's work often intersects with environmental activism. She uses her art as a platform to raise awareness about environmental degradation, climate change, and other ecological concerns. Her projects aim to inspire action and positive change. Through her creative work, she addresses environmental concerns, encourages sustainable practices, and prompts viewers to engage with their surroundings in new and meaningful ways. Here are some notable examples of Kim Abeles' environmental activism through her art:


 * Smog Collector Series: One of Abeles' most recognized environmental projects, the "Smog Collector Series," involves using special panels to capture air pollutants and create visual records of smog over time. By turning pollution into art, she highlights the pervasive issue of air quality while emphasizing the need for cleaner and healthier environments.
 * Los Angeles Aqueduct Centennial Project: Abeles used water and sediment from the Los Angeles Aqueduct to create art, drawing attention to the intricate relationship between water resources and urban development. This project raises questions about water usage, conservation, and the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems.
 * Urban Nature Maps: In collaboration with scientists, Abeles has created "Urban Nature Maps" that illustrate the unique ecosystems present within urban environments. These maps celebrate the often-overlooked biodiversity in cities and encourage a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
 * Recycled Materials: Many of Abeles' artworks incorporate recycled and repurposed materials, reflecting her commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. By transforming discarded objects into art, she encourages viewers to reconsider their consumption habits.
 * Community Engagement: Abeles frequently involves communities and individuals in her projects, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for environmental issues. Her participatory installations and events encourage dialogue and collaboration around topics like pollution, resource depletion, and climate change.
 * Awareness and Education: Through her art, Abeles educates and informs the public about environmental challenges. Her work prompts viewers to question their impact on the planet and contemplate potential solutions.
 * Symbolism and Metaphor: Abeles often uses symbolism and metaphor to convey complex environmental messages. For instance, her project "Guns into Plowshares" transforms weapons into garden tools, suggesting a shift from violence to nurturing and growth.
 * Advocacy and Activism: Beyond her artistic practice, Abeles has been involved in advocacy efforts related to environmental issues. Her work serves as a call to action, urging individuals and communities to take steps toward positive change.

Kim Abeles' environmental activism exemplifies how art can serve as a powerful tool for raising awareness, inspiring conversations, and motivating action on critical ecological matters.

’Diverse Mediums’
Kim Abeles works across various mediums, including sculpture, installation, photography, and public art. Her ability to adapt and experiment with different materials allows her to create thought-provoking and impactful pieces. She is a versatile artist who has worked with diverse mediums to create her thought-provoking and socially engaged artworks. Her willingness to experiment with different materials and techniques has allowed her to convey her ideas in innovative and impactful ways. Here are some of the diverse mediums that Kim Abeles has explored in her art:


 * Sculpture: Abeles has created sculptures using various materials, including metals, ceramics, and found objects. Her sculptures often incorporate elements that relate to the themes she explores, such as environmental issues and societal concerns.
 * Installation Art: Installation is a significant aspect of Abeles' practice. She designs immersive and interactive installations that invite viewers to engage with her concepts. Her installations can encompass a wide range of materials, from everyday objects to more unconventional elements.
 * Photography: Photography plays a vital role in Abeles' work, especially in projects like the "Smog Collector Series." She uses photography to document her process, capture the changes in her installations over time, and create visual records of her art's evolution.
 * Printmaking: Abeles has experimented with printmaking techniques, including silkscreen printing. Printmaking allows her to reproduce images and patterns, contributing to the visual impact of her artworks.
 * Mixed Media: Many of Abeles' projects involve a combination of various materials and mediums. She often blends different elements to convey complex narratives and concepts effectively.
 * Textiles: Textile art is another avenue that Abeles has explored. She has used fabrics and textiles in her installations and artworks, adding texture and dimension to her pieces.
 * Public Interventions: Abeles engages with public spaces and communities to create interventions that encourage dialogue and reflection. These interventions can take the form of temporary installations, performances, and participatory events.
 * Book Arts: Abeles has also worked with books as both subject matter and medium. She has created artworks using discarded or altered books, exploring themes of knowledge, history, and communication.
 * Video and New Media: While not as prominent in her practice, Abeles has incorporated video and new media elements into some of her installations, enhancing the multi-sensory experience for viewers.

Her willingness to explore and combine diverse mediums underscores her commitment to using art as a means of addressing important social and environmental issues.

’Public Art’
She has been involved in several public art projects that engage communities and promote a deeper connection with the environment. Her public art installations often encourage people to contemplate their surroundings and the impact of human activities on the world. Kim Abeles is renowned for her innovative and thought-provoking public art installations. Her work often tackles environmental and social issues, encouraging viewers to engage with the world around them in new and impactful ways. Here are a few notable examples of Kim Abeles' public art projects:

These examples demonstrate Kim Abeles' ability to use public art as a means of raising awareness, sparking conversations, and fostering connections between art, society, and the environment.
 * Smog Collector Series: In this ongoing series, Abeles created artworks using the residue collected from the pollution in the air. She designed special "smog collector" panels that would attract and capture pollutants from the environment. Over time, these panels would accumulate a visual record of the air quality in different locations. This project draws attention to the pervasive issue of air pollution and its impact on our daily lives.
 * Face of the City: This project involved creating portrait sculptures of individuals from diverse communities, highlighting the unique identities and stories of different neighborhoods. These sculptures were installed on billboards throughout Los Angeles, challenging traditional notions of portraiture and representation.
 * Los Angeles Aqueduct Centennial Project: For the centennial celebration of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, Abeles created a large-scale installation that used reclaimed water and sediment from the aqueduct to create intricate patterns on silk banners. This project emphasized the complex relationship between the city's water supply and its surrounding environment.
 * Tree of Knowledge: Installed at the Los Angeles Central Library, this project involved placing books in the shape of a tree on the library's lawn. The books were arranged to form the silhouette of a tree, referencing the library as a source of knowledge and growth within the community.
 * Guns into Plowshares: Abeles collaborated with students to transform decommissioned firearms into garden tools, such as shovels and hoes. This project symbolizes the potential for positive change and the repurposing of objects associated with violence into tools for growth and sustainability.
 * Washing the Constitution: In this interactive installation, Abeles invited visitors to launder a photocopy of the United States Constitution with soap and water, symbolically engaging in a process of cleansing and renewal of democratic ideals.
 * Walk a Mile in My Shoes: is a notable project by artist Kim Abeles that explores themes of empathy, identity, and community engagement. In this project, Abeles collaborates with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities to create a powerful visual representation of their unique experiences. Here's an overview of "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" and its significance: "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" involves the creation of a series of sculptural shoes that are customized and decorated by participants who share their personal stories, struggles, and triumphs. These shoes serve as metaphorical vessels for the participants' experiences, allowing them to express their narratives in a creative and symbolic way. Each pair of shoes becomes a work of art, representing the individual's journey and perspective.

’Exhibitions and Recognition’
Kim Abeles has exhibited her artwork in numerous galleries and museums both nationally and internationally. Her work has been recognized and celebrated for its originality, artistic merit, and contribution to environmental awareness. SOLO EXHIBITIONS IN 2021-2023


 * COMING UP Kim Abeles: Social Furniture, Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery, California State University Los Angeles; September 14 - October 30, 2023


 * ON VIEW CURRENTLY, Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987-2020, Library Gallery, California State University Sacramento; January 31 - May 20, 2023, Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM and Saturday, Noon-4 PM  Artist talk: The artist talk with Kim Abeles has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023, Noon-1:30 PM, at the Cottonwood Suite I (second floor), in the University Union.  Link to photos of the exhibit


 * Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987-2020, Curated by Jennifer Frias, Nicholas and Lee Begovich Gallery, California State University Fullerton; September 18 -December 18, 2021.  Link to press release

GROUP EXHIBITIONS IN 2023


 * Southern California Contemporary Art: Gifts from the Stuart Spence and Judith-Vida Spence, Laguna Art Museum; February 4 - July 31, 2023


 * Technologies for Change curated by xtine Burrough, SP/N Gallery, University of Texas, Dallas; January 20 to February 25, 2023


 * Reflections on Our Warming Planet, Curated by Lucinda Luvaas, LA Artcore at Union Center for the Arts; March 4-April 8, 2023

GROUP EXHIBITIONS IN 2022


 * In Nature Nothing Exists Alone, Co-curated by Chris Costan and Laziza Rakhimova, NYC Culture Club at the World Trade Center, New York


 * Mapping the Sublime, Co-curated by Beth Davila Waldman and Lawrence Gipe, Brand Library and Art Center, Glendale, CA


 * Extraction: Earth, Ashes, Dust, Co-curated by Isabel Beavers and Sharon Levy, Presented by SUPERCOLLIDER X TAM, Torrance Art Museum, CA


 * On Air, Co-curated by Iris de Kievith, Jo Pearl, and Annemarie Piscaer for Ceramic Art London at The Crossing at University Central Saint Martins, London


 * Air, Curated by Whitney Tassie, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City


 * Reflections on Our Warming Planet, Curated by Lucinda Luvaas, Lois Lambert Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA


 * From Sea to Shining Sea, Curated by Koan Jeff Baysa, Fellows of Contemporary, Chinatown, Los Angeles


 * Sky Space Time Change, Co-curated by Sharrissa Iqbal and Michael Duncan, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA


 * If Not Now curated by Gayle Paul, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, VA


 * Fire Transforms curated by Rina Faletti, Palo Alto Arts Center, Palo Alto, CA


 * Hurry Slowly, Carolyn Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, Long Beach, CA

GROUP EXHIBITIONS and PUBLIC ART IN 2021


 * 25 plus 25 | MOLAA+AltaMed, Co-curated by Gabriela Urtiaga, MOLAA Chief Curator, and Susana Smith Bautista, Ph.D., Director and Chief Curator of the AltaMed Art Collection, Virtual exhibition presented by Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA


 * Stories of the Land, Curated by Suvan Geer and Sandra Mueller, Santa Ana College Art Gallery, CA


 * A Place for Justice, Organized by Professor Tina Yapelli and students of Art 506: Contemporary Issues, Virtual exhibition presented by University Art Gallery, San Diego State University


 * NOMAD, pop-up organized by Max Presneill and the Torrance Art Museum at Del Amo Crossing


 * Cautious Optimism, Including Curtis Stage, Brian Thomas Jones, Hagop Najarian, Jamal Hasef, Kim Abeles, Molly Schulman, Cherie Brenner Davis, Jessica Goehring; Durden and Ray, Los Angeles


 * Differential Ontology, Curated by Khang Bao Nguyen; Wönzimer, Los Angeles


 * Citizen Seeds, commissioned by Los Angeles County Arts and Culture; This permanent public art will be installed in 2021 along the park to Playa Trail. The six sculptures will be placed along the entrance at Stocker Corridor and eastern section located near Kenneth Hahn Park and along the trail to the Scenic Overlook near Culver City. The entire Park to Playa Trail is a 13-mile series of connected trails and extends to the Pacific Ocean.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS IN 2020


 * Common Ground, Curated by Suvan Geer and Sandra Mueller; Embed Gallery, Chatsworth, CA Link to info and free online events.


 * Endangered: Exploring California's Changing Ecosystems, Curated by Danielle Susalla Deery, California Center for the Arts, Escondido


 * What is it about Trees, Curated by Susanna Meiers, El Camino College Art Gallery, Torrance, CA


 * Access, Curated by Ani Ohanessian, Ara Oshagan, and Anahid Oshagan, ReflectSpace Gallery, Glendale CA (Catalogue) Link to LA Weekly article about ReflectSpace.


 * Carte Blanche, Curated by José Lozano, Avenue 50 Studio, Highland Park, CA


 * 2019-20 Lands of Promise and Peril: Geographies of California, Curated by UC Berkeley students, University of California, Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive

Kim Abeles has received recognition for her innovative and impactful contributions to the world of art. Some of the recognitions and honors she has received include:


 * 1) California Community Foundation Fellowship: Abeles was awarded this prestigious fellowship, which is a testament to her artistic excellence and dedication.
 * 2) City of Los Angeles (C.O.L.A.) Individual Artist Fellowship: This fellowship recognizes outstanding mid-career artists in Los Angeles. Abeles' work was acknowledged with this award, highlighting her significance in the local arts scene.
 * 3) Pollack-Krasner Foundation Grant: This grant is designed to provide financial support to artists who have demonstrated exceptional artistic talent and creativity. Abeles was a recipient of this grant, underscoring her artistic achievements.
 * 4) United States Artist Fellowship: This fellowship celebrates artists who contribute significantly to their respective fields. Kim Abeles received this honor, reinforcing her impact as an artist.
 * 5) Women's Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award: Abeles was recognized with this award for her enduring contributions to the arts and her dedication to addressing important social and environmental issues through her work.
 * 6) Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement from the ArtTable Southern California Chapter: This award acknowledges her substantial and lasting impact on the arts, particularly in the Southern California region.
 * 7) Fulbright Scholar Award: Abeles' work and expertise were acknowledged with a Fulbright Scholar Award, allowing her to extend her influence internationally.

’Teaching and Education
Apart from her art practice, Abeles has been actively involved in education and teaching. She has served as a visiting lecturer and artist-in-residence at several institutions, sharing her knowledge and passion for art with students and aspiring artists. Kim Abeles, aside from her work as an artist, has a significant background in academia. From 1998 to 2009, she held the position of a professor in public art, sculpture, and drawing at California State University, Northridge. In recognition of her contributions and achievements in the field of education, she was granted the title of professor emerita in 2010.

Some of the institutions she has been associated with in the past include:


 * 1) California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA): Kim Abeles has served as a lecturer and visiting faculty member at CSULA, where she has shared her expertise and experiences with students.
 * 2) Otis College of Art and Design: Abeles has been involved with Otis College as a visiting artist and educator, contributing to the creative community there.
 * 3) University of Southern California (USC): Kim Abeles has participated in USC's Roski School of Art and Design as a visiting artist and lecturer.