Addison Karl (b. 1982) emerges as a fervent visual artist deeply connected to his Chickasaw and Choctaw heritage. Born in Denver and immersed in the arid splendor of Phoenix, Arizona, Addison's artistic trajectory is a testimony to his enduring quest to produce work that strikes a chord with museums, galleries, and collectors internationally.
He studied briefly Fine Arts at the Art Institute, before ultimately choosing to leave the formal academic setting in pursuit of his own creative path. This decision led him to explore screen printing, a medium he had initially encountered in high school art classes and embraced for its process. This formative experience enabled him to sharpen his skills and cultivate his understanding of drawing and the creative process, paving the way for the unfolding of his artistic journey.
Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, Addison's artistic pursuits encompass painting, drawing, public art, and sculpture. Since 2016, he has ventured into the realm of sculpture, refining his craft in bronze casting at Two Ravens Studio in Tacoma and glass casting in Murano.
Driven by an unwavering passion for his craft and a distinct vision, Addison Karl aspires to create the kind of artwork that he has always longed to see in museums, galleries, and private collections. By addressing this void, Addison introduces a fresh and authentic perspective, positioning himself as a compelling force and visual storyteller.
In 2023, Addison received the esteemed Artist Trust Fellowship and Grant. Prior to this recognition, in October 2022, he secured both Second Place in the Bronze Division Sculpture category and Third Place in the Division Painting category at the Southeastern Art Show and Market, from the Chickasaw Nation.
Earlier in 2022, Addison was invited to participate in a 3 month Artist Residency Program at Amazon Headquarters in Seattle. In 2021, Addison's sculpture earned him multiple awards, including 3rd Place in Sculpture at the Southeastern Art Show and Market, Chickasaw Nation, and both 1st and 2nd Place Bronze at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.
In 2020, Addison received the distinguished Tony Stones Award, commended by the Society of Portrait Sculptors. His accomplishments in 2019 include securing 3rd Place Bronze at the Southeastern Art Show and Market, Chickasaw Nation, and being granted the Artists in Business Leadership Fellowship by the First Peoples Fund.
'about'
Poetic blending of Chickasaw and Choctaw ancestry is on display in Addison Karl's creative sphere; this fusion takes the form of an ode to the ancestral knowledge, tales, and distinctive environment that have molded Addison's sense of self. Defying clichés and stereotypes, Addison's oeuvre offers a contemporary resonance of the rich cultural legacy and artistic traditions of his ancestors, inviting viewers into a realm where the past and present coalesce.
Embarking on a creative journey that spans internationally, Addison Karl, a self-taught artist, embraces a diverse range of mediums, with a particular emphasis on bronze and glass sculptures. His body of work, traversing from throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, encompasses paintings, installations, and public art, including large-scale murals. The viewer is guided through a voyage of discovery and connection, engaging with the confluences of personal interactions, nature, culture, history, altruism, color perception, and emotional states.
Addison's intricate sculptures are the result of meticulous research and a cross-disciplinary approach to materials, themes, and techniques. His bronze work features innovative patinas that challenge conventional expectations, transforming the appearance of the metal into a material evocative of turquoise stone. This imaginative use of materials not only speaks to the cultural importance of turquoise in Indigenous art but also captures the personal connections of being raised in Arizona by his family.
The creative process of Addison unfolds through a series of interconnected gestures, as preliminary notes and sketches find their way onto diverse mediums. His work seeks to expand the viewer's understanding of the context, structures, and surfaces it inhabits. In this pursuit, Addison strives for meticulous harmony and balance between his art and the pre-existing environment.
Deeply rooted in a background of printmaking, Addison's artistic practice represents an ongoing exploration of traditional Chickasaw and Choctaw creative methods, as well as contemporary painting and sculpture techniques. His unyielding commitment to learning and growth solidifies his role as a Culture Bearer, engaging in a dialogue between tradition and innovation, expertly blending historical and contemporary methods of creation.
‘news’
COMMISSIONED WORK
2024, August - Biomass Mural - Belltown United - City of Seattle – Seattle, Washington
2023/2024, May - Hayayalgi - Chickasaw Nation - Okana – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2023, January - Bok Homa Mural - Arts & Culture - City of Seattle – Seattle, Washington
2021/2022, October-March - Itti’ Kapochcha To’li’ - Iron Sculpture - Art Beltline – Atlanta, Georgia
2020/2021, May-October - Sholop Mural - LMC - City of Redmond - Redmond, Washington
2019, June-August - Cassiopeia Mural - Arts & Culture Alliance - City of Knoxville - Knoxville, Tennessee
May - In Service Mural - Department of Veterans Affairs - Words Beats & Life - Washington, D.C.
2018, August - Anowa Chipisala'cho Mural - Unico Properties - Urban Artworks - Seattle, Washington
July - Lagrangian Mural - laNori Management - Munich, Germany
2017, October - Okchamali Nebulae Mural - Murals DC - Washington, D.C.
July/August - Chief Seattle‘s Grandchildren Mural - SODO Track - 4Culture - Seattle, Washington
June - Hope Mural - SRP - Phoenix, Arizona
April - Elpida Mural - Refugee Home - aptART - Thessaloniki, Greece
February - Magnets of Creativity Mural - Words Beats & Life - US Embassy - Karachi, Pakistan
2016, November - Carina Mural – Le Mur – Paris, France
September - Purple Rain – with Jarus - Art Beltline – Atlanta, Georgia
July - Armonía Cromática – with Bimmer Torres - Adams County – Denver, Colorado
June/July - Doradus Mural/Installation – Denver Regional Transportation – Denver, Colorado
2015, October - Messier Mural – TWIF – artSEA – Seattle, Washington
September - Nova Mural - Spokane Arts Mural Program - Spokane, Washington
August - Avatar Mural - with Jarus - Art Beltline - Atlanta, Georgia
March - Tai On Terrace Mural - Hong Kong Walls Festival - Mid Levels Central, Hong Kong
March - Chimi & North Point Murals - Hin Bus Art Depot - Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
February - Leilah Mural - Graffiti World & Nueve Arte Urbano - San Miguel, Mexico
February - Raccoon Mural - Graffiti World & Nueve Arte Urbano - Querétaro, Mexico
February - Gorillastraction Mural - Graffiti World - Mexico City, Mexico
February - Kalimpong Mural - Graffiti World - Mexico City, Mexico
January - Carnalito Mural - The Bakery LA - Pacoima, California
January - Frank Henry Mural - Kitchensink Studios - Phoenix, Arizona
January - John Waddell Mural - Kitchensink Studios - Phoenix, Arizona
2014, November - Symbiotic Mural - Urban Xchange - Penang, Malaysia
October - The Fisherman & The Fish Mural - MOST Art Festival - Moscow, Russia
August - Paris On Ponce Mural - Art Beltline - Atlanta, Georgia
July - Luong Mural - Wall Therapy - Rochester, New York
June/July - Totem Mural - JBAK - LOA - Berlin, Germany
June - 14 Tails Mural - Berlin, Germany
2013, October - Ice House Mural - JBAK - Chalk Art Festival - Sarasota, Florida
September - Murals DC Project - JBAK - Washington DC
May - Secret Mural - JBAK - Mystique Festival - Magdeburg, Germany
April - Generation Mural - JBAK - Phoenix, Arizona
2012, November - Eyes Mural - JBAK - Baja Luka - Berlin, Germany
October - Dresden Mural - JBAK - City Bilder- Dresden, Germany
October - Chemnitz Mural - JBAK - Chemnitz, Germany
September - Keirin Mural - JBAK - Berlin, Germany
April - San Fernando Mural - Los Angeles, California
March - Francesca Mural - Phoenix, Arizona
March - Mural Painting - Hotbox - Chicago, Illinois
2011, November - Wedding Walls Mural - JBAK - Berlin, Germany
2009, November - Squid VS. Whale Mural - Seattle, Washington
SOLO EXHIBITION
2022, June - Lost Wax - Solo Exhibition - Lunardelli - Venice, Italy
2017, December - Chokma, Chinchoma? - Solo Exhibition - The Factory - Berlin, Germany
March - Shopullali - Solo Exhibition - LAT - Berlin, Germany
2013, May - Berlin Portraits Exhibition - JBAK - 9 Canvas Series - Berlin, Germany
2010, October - Travels Exhibition - ReTramp Gallery - Berlin, Germany
January - ZOO! Creatures Of Curiosity Exhibition - Assemble Gallery - Seattle, Washington
2009, July - Give Up Exhibition - Retrofit - Seattle, Washington
April - iNVASiON Exhibition - Twilight Artist Collective - Seattle, Washington
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020, September - ’10 years’ Group Exhibition – Galerie Mathgoth – Paris, France
2019, November - Brighter Future: To be heard. To be seen. To be free. - Exhibition - King Street Station - Seattle, Washington
2019, March - 'yəhaw' Indigenous Native - Exhibition - King Street Station - Seattle, Washington
2018, July - 'IMAGO' A History of Portraits - Exhibition - Museum of Urban & Contemporary Art - Munich, Germany
2017, January - ’Format Raisin’ Group Exhibition – Galerie Mathgoth – Paris, France
2016, April - ‘What The Weekend Is Gallery’ Exhibition – The.Art.Union at Urban Spree – Berlin, Germany
2015, July - Millerntor #5 Exhibition - Millerntor Gallery - Hamburg, Germany
June - Wall Dialogue Exhibition - Neurotitan Gallery - Berlin, Germany
May - TONTON² Exhibition - Brussels, Belgium
January - Exploring the New Contemporary Movement Exhibition - Thinkspace Gallery - Honolulu Museum Of Art School - Honolulu, Hawaii
January - ‘La Familia’ – 10th Anniversary Exhibition - Thinkspace Gallery - Los Angeles, California
2014, November - Urban Xchange Group Exhibition - Hin Bus Art Depot - Penang, Malaysia
May - LAX / TXL - JBAK - Thinkspace Pop Exhibition - Berlin, Germany
February - Re-imagining Group Exhibition - Icehouse Gallery - Sarasota, Florida
2013, August - All My Stars Exhibition - JBAK - Strychnin Gallery - Berlin, Germany
August - Project „M“ - JBAK - Strychnin Gallery - Berlin, Germany
July - Circle Show Group Exhibition - Urban Spree - Berlin, Germany
September - Group Exhibition - Re:MMX - Berlin, Germany
June - Group Exhibition - JBAK - SEZ - Berlin, Germany
June - Group Exhibition - Crack Art Festival - Rome, Italy
2010, April - Group Exhibition/Installation - TurmKunst - Berlin, Germany
July - Design Festa Art Festival - Tokyo, Japan
June - Group Exhibition - POVevolving Gallery - Los Angeles, California
FELLOWSHIPS
2023, March - Artist Fellowship Award & Grant - Artist Trust - Seattle, Washington
2019, March - Artists in Business Leadership Fellowship Grant - First Peoples Fund - Rapid City, South Dakota
AWARDS
2022, October - Pehlichi - Division Painting - Third Place - Southeastern Art Show and Market | Chickasaw Nation
2022, October - Ayukpa Pisa Chukma - Division Sculpture - Bronze Second Place - Southeastern Art Show and Market | Chickasaw Nation
2021, March - Okchamali - Division B - Bronze First Place - 63rd Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
2021, March - Ayukpa Pisa Chukma - Division B - Bronze Second Place - 63rd Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
2020, July - Okchamali - Tony Stones Award Commended - Bronze - Society of Portrait Sculptors
2019, October - Holisso Pisachi' - Division Sculpture - Bronze Second Place - Southeastern Art Show and Market | Chickasaw Nation
WORKSHOPS
2018, September - Youth Mural Painting Workshop - Chickasaw Nation - Ada, Oklahoma
July/August - Artist Workshop - Double Exposure - Seattle Art Museum - Seattle, Washington
July - Youth Painting Workshop - Urban Artworks - Seattle, Washington
2017, July - Youth Painting Workshop - 4 Culture - Urban Artworks - Seattle, Washington
February - Magnets of Creativity Classes - Words Beats & Life - US Embassy - Karachi, Pakistan
ARTIST TALKS/LECTURES
2019, July - Artist Talk/Lecture – Knoxville Museum Of Arts - Knoxville, Tennessee
2015, March - Lecture – Theories Of Painting - THEi University - Hong Kong, China
2014, November - Artist Lecture - Hin Bus Art Depot - Penang, Malaysia
'curriculum vitae'
For General Inquires, Press, Commissions:
Photo Credit: James Harnois Photography - Amazon Artist in Residence Program