Kolpeace
Artist Christopher "kolpeace" Johnson born in 94' explores his black southern culture & ancestral characters through liberating portraits while rapidly creating & specializing in contemporary art, public art , community art, and performance art. Now residing in Baltimore during his studio artist residency at Creative Alliance after obtaining his MFA in community arts from MICA (2021) , His work is intended to instigate the narrative of taking the art from the gallery walls to the people by engagement mixing graffiti techniques with contemporary art tools. The artist's identity growing up in South Carolina translated through his work displays his culture through black afro heretic learnings from books, music and advocacy. His visual contemporary & performative work done at the Baltimore Museum of Art (2023) , Harvey B. Gantt Center (2021), and Gala of the International African American Museum (2023) of what the artist represents. "kolpeace" stands for (Kids Only Love Peace), presenting a black identified folktale that paints from his influential past/present/future in hopes to create moments of betterment and liberation towards humanity. Through childhood genres of his black cultural folk life music such as (trill, trap and soul music) to encourage & liberate culture prejudice. A few engaging artistic/unique tools used by the artist to produce prolific artwork while captivating audiences within community spaces and liberating faces. While exhibiting in solo & group shows across the nation such as the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston (2020) and the Eubie Blake Center (2022) the artist takes pride in studio works to pave a personal connection with viewers as he begins his Residency at the Gibbes Museum of Art in 2024.