Artist Statement

Issa (pronounced “iss-Ah”)

She/Her/Hers

I often think of my work as “visual poetry”. Each mark is like a stanza in a larger song, poem or story that explores the concept of experience, emotion and presence. 

Growing up, my father’s job with the Federal Government meant moving to different states and finding communities within those places. During those years, my mother dedicated much of her time to raising myself and my siblings; this unique relationship between transitions and the stable and consistent environment that my mother cultivated has led to my interest in the exploration of identity, cultural expression and belonging. 

Today I work primarily in ink, paint and paint compounds that blend abstract expressionism and representation to tell a story – a story about finding (or making) our place in the world.

Biography

Issa is a Kentucky based artist, designer and non-profit fundraiser. She considers herself an adopted Kentuckian. Growing up, her father’s job with the Federal Government meant moving to different states and finding communities within those places. In 1999 Issa’s family settled in Central Kentucky. The life-long experience of moving around the United States has informed a large part of her artistic work. Issa’s mother dedicated much of her time to raising her kids; so this unique relationship between transitions and the stable and consistent environment that her mother cultivated has lead to a unique perspective for Issa around the exploration of identity, cultural expression and belonging.

Issa has been a creative for as long as she can remember, with her parents encouraging her love of the arts. She enrolled in the Dean School of Art, a local arts program designed to give youth in the area affordable access to art education. During this time Richard Dean, founder and award winning advocate for Arts Education was her biggest advocate. He helped her find her way to Eastern Kentucky University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program where she would be the first in her family to earn a Bachelors degree.

Issa earned her BFA (Painting) in 2010 from Eastern Kentucky University. Her BFA Exhibition was an exploration of female identity and life cycle through Russian Folktales. After earning her BFA, Issa worked at the Explorium of Lexington as the Director of Art & Community Engagement and Education Coordinator.

In 2015 she earned her Master of Arts (Humanities/Religious Studies) from the University of Lousiville. Her thesis/directed study project explored the role, life and impact of Illuminated Manuscripts in Medieval Europe and western contemporary communities.

Through-out her academic pursuits Issa has remained involved with various nonprofits and cultural institutions. When she is not working in the studio, she works part time for a national nonprofit that helps to dismantle myths around poverty and injustice while also equipping individuals to successfully advocate for a more just and peaceful world. She fell in love with a boy from Appalachia and they now live in Western Kentucky with their two sons and two cats.

Resume/CV

Available upon request.