Masterpieces with Malia
The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, October 18th, 2024
BY ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net
At just 21 years old, Bahamian visual artist, Malia Kinger has already carved out a space for herself in the local art scene, blending traditional influences with her own modern, youthful style.
What began as a childhood passion in an after-school programme has blossomed into a burgeoning career, marked by a deep love for experimentation with materials like clay, shells, and canvas. From her first art lessons at Krafty Kids to becoming a gallery assistant at the D’Aguilar Art Foundation, Malia's journey has been one of continuous growth and discovery, and she's just getting started.
Malia's artistic journey began at the age of five when her mother enrolled her in Krafty Kids, a program where she first discovered her love for creating. Her passion for art continued to develop throughout her school years, where she was introduced to the technique of pointillism, a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution.
An honourable mention in the Central Bank of the Bahamas Art Competition further fuelled her passion, leading her to pursue art more seriously. Malia's early experiences, including her time as a teaching, assistant to Kim Smith at The Place for Art, have shaped her into the artist she is today, one who enjoys exploring different mediums and techniques.
In her current work, Malia enjoys combining traditional Bahamian elements with her own modern, youthful flair. She finds inspiration in the rich cultural heritage of the Bahamas but adds a contemporary twist to her pieces, whether she's crafting clay coasters, painting shells, or working on canvas.
Her proudest moment as an artist, so far, has been the opportunity to travel with fellow Bahamian artist Cydne Coleby and assisted her during her residency at the World Trade Center in New York.
"The fact that someone I deeply admire saw value in my support and chose to fund my trip and stay was impactful. This experience served as a significant boost to my confidence. It reaffirmed my belief in my own abilities and my place within the creative community, showing me that collaboration and mentorship can have a transformative effect on an artist's journey," said Malia.
She went on to tell the Tribune Week-end, the first piece she ever created and sold was titled "Dot Dollar." It featured a vibrant, colourful sand dollar on watercolour paper. "I've always loved sand dollars and dreamed of bringing a colorful version to life. When it finally came together, it was stunning,
"I discovered my passion for working with materials like clay, shells, and canvas by observing other artists. Initially, I believed that art was limited to two dimensions, either on canvas or paper. While working at The Current, I drew inspiration from the diverse artwork that came through the door. At that time, I was mainly painting on wooden ornaments or canvases," said Malia.
When it comes to her conch shell art, she vividly remembers painting on a bleached conch shell as a young girl, leaving it outside as a doorstop where it would turn white again,
"A couple of months ago, I decided to beautify it once more and placed it on my shelf. When I posted it on Instagram, I was delighted to find that many others loved the shells too and thus, my painted shells were born,
As for clay, I enjoy experimenting and getting my hands dirty. I recently made my own coasters using terra-cotta clay. Currently, I'm trying to return to painting, more frequently on canvas, as my focus has shifted significantly toward 3D objects," said Malia.
Malia spoke of her late grand-mother, who is hands down her biggest inspiration when it comes to her artwork."During every visit to her home, we would spend countless hours in her breeze room, where she always encouraged me to express myself and explore my creativity. Her house felt like a hub for artistic experiments. I used to ask her to play teacher and teach me how to draw plants, animals, and anything else my curious mind dreamed up, and she always responded with patience, nurturing my artistic curiosities and endless requests,” said Malia.
She said the thought of her grand-mother looking down on her, smiling with pride since those chalk board days, motivates her, and she only aims to demonstrate that a future in art is not only possible - but also worthwhile
"My creative process has evolved significantly. It once began with a digital sketch, followed by grid marks and a detailed sketch on canvas. Now, as I predominantly paint on shells, ornaments, and coasters, I embrace a more spontaneous approach. I start with a vague idea of what I want to create and dive in without a strict plan. My new favourite medium is painting on shells, and 1 absolutely love the results," said Malia.
When asked where does she see her art taking her in the next few years, Malia said she is hoping to one day host her very first solo exhibition in a local gallery that highlights her mixed heritage and the experiences she has had growing up in The Bahamas.
"This show will allow me to delve into my identity and share my unique perspective through my art. I'm also committed to deepen-ing my understanding of the art industry, taking the time to learn its intricacies and build valuable connections.
“As I navigate this journey, I aim to explore more efficient ways to sell my work, finding strategies that save time while still effectively reaching my audience," said Malia. As a young artist in The Bahamas, one of my biggest challenges has been building my confidence. I often felt intimidated by the presence of established artists, believing that my work didn't belong along-side theirs or that I shouldn't even attempt to engage with them. I viewed them as so far above me that initiating a conversation seemed daunting. She was surprised to have quite a number of local artists reaching out to share encouraging words. Malia said the validation and support from the artists helped her realise that every artist, regardless of their status, has faced their own struggles.
"Through my art, I bope to convey that every detail requires attention and care. In a world that often prioritises speed and instant gratification, I want my work to encourage others to pause, and find value in the time it takes to cultivate something meaningful. Ultimately, patience is an essential part of creating something lasting and beautiful," she said.
I definitely plan to expand my portfolio into new mediums and explore other artistic avenues in the future. I'm particularly interested in mixed media work, as my current practice can be quite time consuming. Switching to a faster-paced art style every so often helps keep my enthusiasm alive."