Meet Isis Kenney | Artist, Designer and C.E.O

We had the good fortune of connecting with Isis Kenney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isis, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I come from a family of artists, preachers, teachers and revolutionary thinkers. Thinking outside the box and being unique and creative was something that was encouraged and fostered in my household. I grew up seeing photojournalism books, art history books and was surrounded in a home of fine arts and instruments. In my room, I created what was in my household but in my own way using Hip Hop, basketball and cartoons. That’s what fueled what inevitably became Hip Hop Fine Art. I wanted to see a world of beautiful black urban, glamorous fashion photos, paintings and collages. Images that were colorful, vibrant, gaudy and chic.

When I was growing up, there were editorial hip hop illustrations but no hip hop in the household, no hip hop products, no hip hop art for sale, or access too. No hip hop interior design.

You know they always talk about how men dominate the Hip Hop industry and it’s true. But I feel it’s a woman and her unique quality to create a beautiful household that’s reflective of culture, family and Legacy, that can bring Hip Hop into the household. I’m proud to be that woman and push our images and our style, to the forefront of the home decor, interior design and fine art industry.

We are celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop and it’s exciting to still be #1 in offering a brand centered around hip-hop culture allowing all hip-hop lovers to celebrate and cherish decor and designs that are entrenched in color,embraces gold, layers, dope patterns and so much more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Hip Hop Fine Art is a creative brand that specializes in fine art and home decor. We aim to preserve Hip Hop History And Culture. We are the #1 brand for Hip Hop home decor products.
Our business stands out because we offer home decor products that center around hip hop culture and uplift hip-hop artists. The name hip hop fine art, started off as a collection of fine art pieces. It was from there that I started placing that art on products.

That’s how I was able to see how far the designs could go. I started receiving commissions and media opportunities and it was those opportunities that inspired me to continue to create and to continue to push the envelope for hip-hop being in the home industry. It wasn’t easy because every opportunity that I received was a step forward regardless if I was ready or not. Each step was necessary and it just kept going. I didn’t have the education tofully understand what I was doing, so I had to learn all along the way and there were a lot of challenges because I’m an artist and I had to learn how to become a businesswoman. I had to learn what people want, what people need and not necessarily just create for myself anymore.

The number one lesson I learned was to invest in your creativity whether it’s separation, isolation, whether it’s getting another job, an attorney or doing a focus group with your friends or doing a vision board. Do whatever is needed for you to envision and create where you want to be. I want the world to know that 49 years ago, 45 years ago, nobody thought that hip hop would still be in existence. Everyone thought that it was just something that young people listen to that wouldn’t have any longevity. It was music and culture that didn’t mean anything and it was a faze. I’m happy that the culture that I have embraced since I was a child that I had to fight for, is starting to receive its recognition.. I want the world to know that hip-hop deserves to be more than just music and fashion. That hip hop is a style, a terminology, a walk, an essence that deserves to be captured and celebrated in our homes and in our lives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Savannah School of the Arts has beautiful exhibits and is a wonderful place to study. I’ve been able to attend up and coming artist and professional art exhibits and I’m always pleased with the level of professionalism of each collection and its presentation.

I would also take them to the High Museum of Art, especially when it’s trap music night. There is nothing like walking through a museum listening to hip hop music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Throughout my life I have had so many mentors and I’ve received so much guidance and wisdom from so many elders like Kwame Brathwaite, Alton H. Maddox Jr., Dr. Dudley Thompson, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Roslyn Jeffries and Gil Noble.

So many people that are no longer here, that have left such a legacy that people have yet to truly recognize and so many people that have yet to receive their flowers. These elders and so many more like my mother, my grandmothers and great grandmothers and my father Dr. Okpara Heru Nosakhere, they left an everlasting impression on me, on how far you can go, how far creativity can take you and how far being fearless can get you.

I’ve been blessed to meet John Henrik Clarke. I’ve been blessed to meet Yosef Ben-Jochannan ” Dr. Ben”. I grew up around so much creative energy. It’s because of them and so many others that encouraged me to continue to document Who We Are as a people and continue to contribute to our story and to continue to uplift all that I know that we are. I want to shout out the Kenney family, the Nosakhere family, the Jenkins, the Brathwaites and everyone that has contributed towards my journey. I would like to shout out the iconic Dion Millington and all my friends that have continued to watch me grow. My art and my life is a collection of wisdom and love and I’m proud and thankful for that.

Website: hiphopfineart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopfineart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isiskenney/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HIPHOPFINEART

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HIPHOPFINEART1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HIPHOPFINEART/videos

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HIPHOPFINEART https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/isis-kenney

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Kenji BC “Mind of Kenji” https://www.instagram.com/mindofkenji/