Val Kai is a multi-dimensional Photographer, born and raised in the SF/Oakland Bay Area. She was exposed to Art (all kinds) at an early age via her parents, who were Music and Art enthusiast. Val started expressing herself with Photography in high school.
But it was after high school when an opportunity presented itself. Thus a serious interest ensued. She's been a work in progress ever since. Learning, working on her own with very little formal study or training. A one-word description that best describes Val's work is VARIETY. As a result her portfolio contains many areas of focus.
Val has exhibited work in venues/galleries around the Bay Area since 2010; SF Photography Ctr., Dia De Los Muertos & TBWIG @ SOMARTS Ctr., City of Oakland Senior Month Art Exhibit and The Art of the African Disapora (formally TAOLB), to name a few.
She is constantly out and about photographing various cultural and community events. Street, environmental/architectural Art is also a serious interest of hers.
In addition to Photography, Val has an extensive background in Dance. She is 1 of the 1st string of dancers that studied African/Black Dance in the Bay Area at its onset in the late 60's, early 70's. Val has studied and performed with the likes of CK Ladzekpo, Rev/Dr Albirda Rose Eberhardt, Malonga Casque-Lourd, Nontsizi Cayou, Blanche Brown and Jose Lorenzo to name a few.
The work I've chosen for this exhibit are pieces that reflect my current state of mind or development. Some exploration beyond traditional photography. The use of both traditional and my own creative twist.
My state of mind is that of many today. Living in and with an extreme RACIST society making Black more fragile, vulnerable to unexpected incidents that can result in death. Having to rethink, reconfigure our individual lives, in order to survive in a world that's HATE filled with a pandemic (COVID19).
As a Black female creative, I carry, express, reclaiming, reconfiguring, and re-remembering in and with my Art.
