Introducing Homecoming.
BEHIND THE SHOW
Homecoming is an exhibition of works from women and nonbinary artists in Future Front’s 2023 Artist Residency.
Curated in collaboration with the team behind Ani’s, the show features work by Future Front resident artists: Emily Bryn, HardShapes, Wilted Nurture, Kayla Kennedy, Maria and Nikki Diaz.
Exploring diverse textiles, materials and perspectives, Homecoming is a return to self—a reflection on reclamation.
Are you interested in buying a piece from Homecoming?
Shoot us a note at hello@futurefronttexas.org with a photo of the work you’re interested in and and we’ll connect you directly with the artist.
You can also browse the price list here TO contact artists directly.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Nikki Diaz (she/her) was born and raised in El Paso, Texas where I graduated with a B.F.A. in Painting from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is currently based in Austin, Texas, where she teaches community art classes, spending time painting and raising her son. Using symbolism and religious iconography in my paintings, I attempt to venerate people, objects, or places that seem mundane or forgotten. She particularly focuses on matriarchal figures and cultural ideas regarding women. Memories often haunt her paintings, and she strives to incorporate surreal, colorful scenarios into the narratives. The majority of her work focuses on personal experiences, family, culture and the borderland.
Wilted Nurture is the mental health of artist and business owner, Christopher (they/them), brought to life. They began their pottery journey back in 2021, when their childhood traumas resurfaced, as a way to channel the emotions and emptiness they felt all throughout life. It is mainly through pottery that they were able to begin healing and find solace within their past. Christopher is fully self taught, creates with intent and hand builds every piece with no mechanical wheels. They create not only for the wellness of their mental health, but to publicly share their experiences and advocate for those who may also struggle with their mental health as a reminder that it’s okay to not always feel okay.
@wiltednurture
Emily Bryn (she/her) was raised in a multigenerational Mexican household in Austin, Texas and has lived here ever since. Being Mexicana, Tejana, and a queer person shapes the entirety of her work, which stretches from oil painting to screen printing and every little thing in between. Though she devotes her time to learning and expanding her creativity in freelance opportunities around the city, she also runs Emsbrynart, LLC full-time. Emily Bryn is the owner of her company where she screen prints playful drawings and slogans about queer and immigration rights onto up-cycled vintage clothing, reallocating a percentage of sales back into her two communities. Being a full-time artist at the age of 23, she can be found at markets around town, in literally any coffee shop trying to refuel herself, or taking a break to read and cool off at Deep Eddy Pool.
Maria Kanevskaya (she/her) is a Russian-born photographer currently living and working in Austin, Texas. Her focus in photography is to capture human emotions, mostly exploring female subjects and their internal reality.
HardShapes aka Laree (she/they) uses a language of colors and shapes to translate the world around and inside of them. Bold, bright, and intentional, they specialize in large-scale commissions and murals.
Austin-based, Kayla Kennedy (she/her) is a self-taught abstraction artist. Born in Long Beach and raised in Portland, Kayla’s inspiration stems from all those she has encountered on her life’s journey. While pursuing a career in interior design, Kayla was inspired to begin creating art, birthing a new way of self-expression. While most of her art involves acrylic on canvas, she enjoys exploring all mediums creating texture and depth. Kayla hopes to inspire creativity and impact those in her community.
Behind Future Front’s Artist Residency:
Future Front works with 15 creatives in residence in Texas per year.
Collaborating within our programs or with our partners, our resident artists work with us to create everything from workshop series to custom playlists to life-size installations. This collaboration with Ani’s Day and Night is part of our 2023/24 Artist Residency program. Learn more here.