Burke Residency 17: Kim Mejia of Splendid Circumstances

E: Could you elaborate on Splendid Circumstances? I’m curious to hear more about this designation that you create under. 

K: I started Splendid Circumstances in 2017. I created it to be able to share some of my art and to connect with people. Splendid Circumstances is what I use to describe human connection and synchronicity in life. It’s the positive way moments unfold and seeing the bigger picture down the line. It can be so many things. It’s this feeling that there really are no coincidences. How we are all connected and a bigger picture always reveals itself down the line. It’s a subtle optimism/belief that the dots will connect and reveal an image (reason) in the end.

E: One of the things I find most compelling about your work is that it brings to mind charts, graphs, blueprints, schematics, etc., but also has a very personal quality. To me, it captures the feeling of trying to navigate the systems built around us—to try to both make sense and find a course of movement. Does any of that resonate with you? I’d love to hear about what inspires you (and if you spend a lot of time looking at technical charts). 

E: I’ve noticed that eyes and hands appear as a frequent motif in your work, do they hold a particular significance for you? 

K: It’s a symbol for wanting to be seen, and touched. Physically, spiritually and emotionally. It’s a reference to human nature and needs.

E: It’s thrilling how dynamic your line work is; it often feels both scientifically precise and simultaneously free-flowing and organic. The quality of your hand is so immediately felt in many of your pieces—could you give us a little window into your process? Do you draw by hand on paper, use a digital medium, a mixture of things? 

K: Most of my art starts as a sketch on paper. It starts with drawing a single line or shape and connecting it from there. Sometimes I collage or even start writing words that resonate with me at that moment. From there I take the image into the computer or ipad. I create from there. I use illustrator, procreate and photoshop. It can take on many things from there. 

E: Many of your pieces tend to be black and white, sometimes with subtle hints of color, while others of your pieces are wildly vibrant and bursting. Could you talk to us about your use of color? 

K: The colors I use symbolize moments and different feelings.. I like to upload different photographs and create a color palette based on that. Sometimes I even upload memes to create color palettes.. It can be anything, really anything and everything. I also use lots of harmonious colors on the color wheel. 

E: Finally, to conclude, what’s on the horizon for Splendid Circumstances? How can we stay connected with you? 

K: I just hope to continue to create lots more textiles, and art. I want to do more collaborative projects this year. You can connect with me on instagram under @splendid_circumstances.

SHOP THE RESIDENCY COLLECTION BY SPLENDID CIRCUMSTANCES BY CLICKING HERE.