Karen J. Anderson is an artist, writer, photographer, publisher and filmmaker. She uses a variety of methods to uplift, inform and about educate African Americans and people of color. She has a Master of Arts in New Art Journalism from the School of the Arts Institute in Chicago.
Artist Statement
I believe stories can be told in many ways and use a variety of methods to uplift, inform and educate African American and people of color. I want my work to bring energy and life to a marginalized community to help it become strong and active. I want to do work that gets people to talking about the issues of life.
Photography
I have more than 10 years experience in photography including work at JCP Outdoor Photography, Lifetouch Church Directories and Charly’s Angels Newborn Photography. My best work has been independently when the client finds me. My work reflects my love and respect for God’s creation. It is good see people living the life given by God.
Artwork
Her artwork has shown in online galleries for Shanti Arts in the group exhibition Phenomenal Woman in 2019 and as “A History” in Amuse-Bouche (Lunch Ticket) in 2020. It has been published in a group anthology of artists in the Genre Urban Arts No. 8 Print, in Still Point Arts Quarterly andin Wordpeace. In 2021 her work, the Servant Leader was in Levitate. Her Instagram page is BlackGyrlArt.
The first set of women I called the Warriors. I saw them on the internet and created a story around the images. The second set of images were originally photographed by James C Lewis. I fell in love with the idea of biblical characters having dark brown skin. The last two are real people who represent what strong, positive African American womanhood looks like.
Her artwork can also be seen on her Instagram page BlackGyrlArt.
She believes everyone has a story and knows a visual image is a great way to capture a moment. She loves capturing moments that help others to celebrate and contemplate their current position in life.
ART EXHIBITION
2018 | Group Exhibition | Domestic Violence Pop Up Art Show, School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, Il.
2019 | Phenomenal Woman by Shanti Arts | Online Exhibition
2020 | Amuse Bouche | Online Exhibition
2021| Art in the Atrium | Frisco, Texas
2022| Protest Signs | UNCW, North Carolina
2022| Going Dutch Festival | Elgin, Il
2022 | Pullman: Laboring Together | Chicago, Il
Publications
Chicken Soup for the Soul | I’m Speaking Now 2021
LEVITATE | Alone and Together 2021
WORDPEACE | Issue 5-1 | 2020
Genre Urban | Print Issue 8 | 2018
Presentations
2021 | More Than A Color: the Marginalization of African American Beauty | National Conference of Black Political Scientists
2023 | Illinois Humanities Road Scholar
Purchase
If you would like to purchase any of my work, you can visit my linktree. at
Black Gyrl Art 