Kharis Kennedy (New York, NY)
Energy: 467.50 kJ, 2007
Oil on linen on board
17.25”h x 23.25”w
Framed: 20”h x 26”w

Fixed Value represents two years of work exploring the fact that a painting is a physical object that, like any other three-dimensional object, can only be objectively understood in terms of its physical properties: light, mass and energy. The series consists of 27 paintings divided into three groups. Each painting uses the same subject matter, a stuffed dog and a flower arrangement, and are all the same size ( 17.25” x 23.25”). The three groups each explore one of the key attributes that describes a physical object: light, mass or energy. Kennedy devised a method to construct the nine paintings in each group that varies only the value of the attribute being studied, while keeping all attributes of the painting constant.

Says Kennedy about the series, “I want to find out what it would feel like to encounter a room filled with the same still life, painted over and over again, varying each time only in order to fulfill different objective criteria.”

The series addresses the use of subjective terminology to critique artwork and opposes the notion of “artistic value,” instead offering empirical value and measurement for each work of art.

Kharis Kennedy has been working as a studio artist since 1999 and currently lives and works in New York City. She earned her BFA in Painting and Drawing and a BA in Art History at the University of Washington. Though her background is primarily in painting, much of her recent work is conceptual multi-media pieces. Most recently she and long time collaborator Rick McIntire premiered two evening length presentations of Yamabushi + Spielerfrau, a multi-disciplinary performance inspired by the possibilities of the random juxtaposition of their silent film Yamabushi with live music performed by the band Spielerfrau. In the fall of 2007 Kennedy, McIntire, costume designer / sculptor Agata Olek Oleksiak, and dance choreographer Bryon Carr will present “Dr. M. Vs. Capt. R.,” a collaborative piece incorporating dance, projected images, recorded music and sculptural costuming.

Kennedy’s work has been included in juried exhibitions in New York City and she was recently awarded a 2007-2008 A.I.R. Gallery Fellowship. Fixed Value will be exhibited at A.I.R. Gallery in Manhattan following the McLeod Residence show.

More information about Kharis Kennedy

Kharis Kennedy’s Resume

Kharis Kennedy’s Bio

Available Work