b. 1981 Camden, NJ
Artist’s Bio
Jennifer Kikia-Yang is a surrealist landscape muralist and multidisciplinary professional artist. Her work is inspired by the fantastical aspects of nature’s splendor and her passion for exploring it. Voracious curiosity and an independent sense of adventure lead her to explore wilderness and recreate it in her art. Deep observation, research and spiritual connection in nature assist the artist in portraying the magic evident in the exotic environments that surround her daily life. By investigating wildlife habitats, researching flora and fauna, cultivating local plants, collecting organic materials and photographing her surroundings, the artist renders her unique vision through a wide variety of techniques. Informed by her design, carpentry, and costuming professional experience, Jennifer executes her unique vision by incorporating traditional and unorthodox materials and techniques in her craft.
Through her spiritual connection with nature, Jennifer tunes out the noise and bustle of our technological age to find solace in the wild abundance of flora and fauna the Creator provides. Jennifer finds inspiration in the surrealism of Salvador Dali, whose visual metaphors and dream like visions are seen echoed throughout her lush feral world. Wild feminine forms erupt from tree trunks, looming clouds overlook the environment with human faces, fragrant blossoms fill the air, all nestled in vibrant tropical greenery. With her surreal images of our natural utopia, she seeks to motivate public commitment to preserving the environment, leading us to more fulfilling, spiritually connected and sustainable lives.
Nature and nurture were early sources of inspiration in her upbringing on the pine barrens of rural New Jersey. Both her parents were creative community leaders who instilled a lifelong commitment to her creative profession. As a musician and muralist her father’s consistent creativity, work ethic and craftsmanship served as early examples. Visions of his homeland of Cameroon bleed into Jennifer’s lush landscapes. His career and culture influenced her creativity and interdisciplinary techniques. Her mother, a nationally awarded teacher who expressed herself both in paints and ceramics, cemented arts and education as cornerstones to her life. She keeps their memory alive in her work.
Her personal enterprise’s name Jak of All Trades embodies her character perfectly. Through a commitment to creative studies Jennifer has mastered an impressive skill set, executing a wide range of projects. She is driven by the determination to create things with her own two hands. Her various skills include sculpture, architectural models, large scale murals, interior design, costuming and carpentry. She has been employed by several notable design, architectural and residential/commercial faux finish firms since 2001. While in Los Angeles pursuing a career in set design for film and television, she took the position as lead mural artist and decorative painter for Marliana Faye Designs, working on several independent films. She led and managed teams of professional artists and craftsmen in projects for spaces like the Greystone Mansion, Trump Palace NYC and the Empire State Building. She has executed works for pop icons such as Cher, Eddie Vedder and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Her life as a military wife has led her to pursue her academic and professional goals wherever her family was stationed, including creative epicenters like San Diego, Chicago and New York City. Although plagued with the limitations of Lime Disease, Jennifer’s tenacious voracity to learn, express and inspire has kept her committed and productive in her personal and professional ventures. She is motivated by motherhood and hopes her career arc will one day teach her son the value of dedicated effort in crafting your dreams. She hopes to secure her place in the creative community of her recent home of Pinellas County by applying her multiple skills and clear vision to projects that bring awe and inspire the public.
