Today we’d like to introduce you to Crice.
Hi, Crice; thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a mixed media artist from Southside Minneapolis. I’ve been passionate about art and social justice since an early age. After graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, I began working in public art and as a printmaker. Having worked for local and national organizations, I have gained much experience creating various installations. Additionally, opportunities to teach and participate in other cohorts have allowed me to grow my creative community around the Twin Cities. As I continue to develop my practice, I want to continue to create art that highlights a future of justice and freedom.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any journey, there are struggles, but I’m truly blessed. Due to systematic oppression and personal challenges, the road to pursuing a creative career has been challenging. Despite this, I have been fortunate to work on art, celebrating my community and our stories. Through a pandemic and an uprising, I have maintained the integrity of my practice, which I am incredibly grateful for.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I use bold iconography to translate themes of liberation with an aesthetic heavily influenced by hip-hop, street art, and ancient propaganda, taking inspiration from history and nature; my work seeks to comment on the exploitation of the Black identity and to reflect on personal experiences within a Euro-centric society. By reflecting on colonized and formerly enslaved people’s hidden histories, we can then begin to envision our future beyond subjugation and oppression. I have won multiple awards with organizations such as the Jerome Foundation, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Currently, I focus on projection mapping, screen-printing, and creating environments using those mediums. I have also been experimenting with wheat paste-ups, mural painting, and other forms of public art. I aim to use art to create a necessary dialogue between the dominant Western culture and underrepresented communities of color.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I recommend finding a mentor or expanding the creative community and trying to practice a few things. My first advice is to let the connection be organic. Most associations made from a purely networking framework are usually more surface level, related to business ventures, and are often shorter relationships. There’s nothing wrong with building a professional network. Still, within a creative practice especially, it is important to maintain more authentic relationships to garner deeper artistic growth, which requires a fair amount of trust and respect. These connections must be completed on time and should be well maintained. It is best when the relationship feels natural, and the roles are mutually beneficial. Another advice for increasing the creative community is to engage actively in the creative scene. In artistic alchemy, you can’t receive something for anything, so participating in events in your area or going to shows will often create opportunities to meet like-minded people. I have met and befriended amazing peers simply by being in a shared space.
Contact Info:
- Website: criceinternational.com
- Instagram: cricekahlil
