"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." - Dorothea Lange

Thursday, May 12, 2011

ari fish


Ari Fish is a 2006 graduate from the Kansas City Art Institute. Her art has been shown world wide in such various mediums as ceramic installation, painting, fashion design, writing, film, costume design, drawing, television and music. Often her work contains themes of prayer, ceremony, universality, post-apocalypse and ergonomic-consciousness. Artistic collaborations with Ari include Whoop Dee Doo, Carnal Torpor, The Ssion, Chicks on Speed, Peaches, The Gossip and Urban Noise Camp. In 2008 she finished filming for Season Six of Project Runway as a contestant.



Ari has written for Vice Magazine, is currently developing articles for ReadyMade Magazine online and works as a freelance writer on topics such as pop culture and fashion. In 2010, she received the prestigious Charlotte Street Visual Artist Award, along with a $10,000 grant and a show at GrandArts Kansas City alongside the two other award recipients. Fish continues to work on designs for her clothing company, "Made in America by Ari Fish", while putting more focus on public art installation.

Ari wrote this about her doll, which is 14" tall and is entitled "The Higher Priestess":

"This doll is a sacred object and a lot of times, when sacred objects cross into the art realm they don't get touched as much, thus losing their power I believe. When I was recreating this doll, I was really concentrating on what felt nice to touch, what was warm and inviting and also what posed a threat of intrigue, hence her slightly turned head. She is the granter of wishes, a direct line to the maker of the doll, the earth as well, and the creative spirit that lead me to re-appropriate her very essence here in the United States. When sacred objects are born into this world, the makers are in direct line, direct thread, with the ultimate creator. This doll was made from the energies of the original seed that planted the plant, the Earth, the maker of the doll, Gloria Feinstein for putting into action this cross communication, and myself. I hope her light spirit will fill your spirit with love, hope, and focus."

[Ari's photo was taken by Kevin Schowengerdt.]

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