February 25, 2019

Meet Kassia Rico

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kassia Rico.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Sure. I’m an artist based in Los Angeles, where I grew up. I am a Mexican-Chinese American, and neither of my parents were born in The States. I feel like that’s something I am connecting with the older I get, and it’s informing my own identity and work more and more. It’s quite difficult, especially growing up in L.A., to be multiracial. I learned early on about having a multiracial identity and the discrimination that comes with it. I am a fairly emergent artist, but I find myself inspired by great creative direction and Illustration and drawn to merchandising and advertising. I’ve been working with illustration for the last few years, since graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2015. Mostly I’ve been supporting my studio work as a Production Coordinator for an international artist. Outside of this job I make time to collaborate with different brands, clients and friends. I find myself most interested in taking on new projects and really looking at what exists and how it can be evolved. This exploration took me to merchandising and surface design, where I collaborated with the apparel brand Coe Textiles (a former RISD colleague), and the brick and mortar shop POKETO in Los Angeles. I also recently launched my own capsule collections of small collectible objects and home textiles, which was shown at the Renegade Craft Fair and West Coast Craft in 2018. I find it fascinating to see how brighter and bolder designs have impacted the people and the companies that I respect.

Please tell us about your art.
I make all sorts of drawings, illustrated objects, and curated goods. I enjoy making small things that will be cherished; things that tell a story or convey a message. It’s only been four years since I have become more of a colorist, meaning most of my work was very drab, black and white or monochromatic, so I’m pretty excited to see how my work will develop. I try to not forget my roots in drawing and painting, which I have been lucky enough to receive a few opportunities for creating large-scale works. I recently got interested in mural painting as I’ve gotten close with my friend Jess X. Snow, and shout out to Faith47 and Keya Tama who are an incredibly talented family and very supportive of my practice. Recently, there has been a rise in negativity across the country, both on the streets and online. I think we are seeing a good rise in work that reflects everyone’s response to this fluctuation. I hope that people will come away from my work feeling a positivity and lightheartedness.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I would say look at your work and yourself as you would any other individual, give time to your practice, give time to yourself. I say eat well, become stronger, read books, watch movies, go to art shows, listen and be present with the current culture that is around us. It’s good to strive to be bolder and kinder, and be persistent!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have an artist shop on my website Kassia.co/shop where you can find all sorts of illustrated goods. Some items are also available on Witchy.com which is a really amazing artist collective and online retail space. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of commissions early on in my career, and I always look forward to that type of collaboration. I will have work up during the Frieze Art Fair with the gallery, That That Gallery, on February 16th. Currently, I am developing work for a solo show around September 2019. Coinciding with the show in Los Angeles, the gallery and myself will be releasing a special edition of posters, so please do keep a look out for more details!

Contact Info:

Website: www.kassiarico.com
Email: kassiaricoart@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kassiarico
Other: www.kassia.co/shop

Image Credit:
Personal photograph by Ellena Lourens
Photography by Sasha Douglas Nares

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