Meet Khalilah Birdsong

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Khalilah Birdsong again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Khalilah, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
The first time we spoke in 2018, I had recently made the big leap, quitting my day job to focus solely on my art practice. I had moved to an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 4,000 miles from any landmass, to shed my corporate layers as an executive in the entertainment industry and to solely practice art. Painting large-scale abstractions is my primary focus. My three years living in the rainforest of Maui, Hawaii was the first step on a generative journey that provided space to think and create in nature, away from the rigors of the corporate world, and venture into the unknown to expand my practice.

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
My seven-year long journey on the road, has given me clarity and experience that now helps inform my art-making. Establishing my own paradigm has been the focal point of my painting practice for over a decade now. I came obliquely to the contemporary arts sphere and was able to anchor myself in the sensibility of my experiences. As a former executive in the film and television industry, painting started out as a catharsis to relieve stress after work. My investigations into the conceptualization of intuition in creativity have allowed me to develop a framework which confronts the edges of these two constructs. Synergizing the integration of knowledge of the business of show business at a cognitive level and applying a deliberately rigorous approach to my art practice has informed this paradigmatic locus.

Over the years during my exhibitions, viewers would cry in front of my paintings. Others would tell me how they could feel an intense positive energy flowing from my work. What I was creating continued to feel bigger than me. As a self-taught artist, I wanted to understand my art practice more fully and challenge myself to delve deeper. I decided to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in order to develop a particular frame of reference and expand my understanding of process, materiality, content and context. On the MFA program at Goldsmiths, University of London I was able to expand my knowledge and gain conceptual understanding of my creative inclinations.

I’m so pleased with my decision to go back to school. After the completion of the program, my practice is continuing to evolve at a broader level through my journeys and examinations of myself, my interests and the world around me. It’s not easy being an artist. It requires a lot of courage, determination and belief in your work. However, this journey has been rewarding in countless ways.

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Coming t0 America (LOL and I used to work in the film biz…still my fave)

Favorite Book: Parable of the Sower

Favorite TV Show: Eeek!! Too many good ones now! But I’m loving Will Trent and Tracker

Favorite Band or Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers (that’s my high school self (still) talking!)

Sweet or Savory: Sweet and savory together (right!?!!)

Mountains or Beach: Mountain hike, then jump into the ocean (Maui style…Aloha!)

Favorite Sport (to watch): Women’s Gymnastics

Favorite Sport (to play): Volleyball (College Division I Captain)

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Softball, Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: An entertainment executive (music, sports, film, tv)

French Fries or Onion Rings: Onion rings

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Literally don’t know who they are…eeek!!!

Favorite Cartoon growing up: My Little Pony and She-Ra: Princess of Power (LOL, but I’m serious)

Favorite Childhood movie: The Goonies (I mean…right!)

Favorite Breakfast Food: Water and black coffee (LOL, don’t eat breakfast)

Was there a moment in your career that you can tell us about that illustrates or demonstrates the kind of person you are, your approach, ethos, etc.
Obstacles may meet you on your journey at times, but they serve to shape our strength, resilience and determination. Maintaining balance and moving through challenges with courage allows for greater learning and growth. I often remind myself that this is my journey and mine alone. It need not be compared to, nor in competition with, anyone else’s.

Website: https://www.khalilahbirdsong.com

Instagram: @khalilahbirdsong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilah-birdsong-778b9333/

Facebook: @khalilahbirdsong

Image Credits
Portrait Image
Amanda Greene