Artist Statement

My practice focuses on revealing the parts of nature that are typically considered overlooked or unwanted, in a manner that allows the viewer to have an unbiased experience. I have an interest in the decomposition process, and I’m often seeking out details such as rotting organic matter, the texture of oyster shells, or what grows between the cracks in the sidewalk. The process begins with studying the intricacies that I stumble upon throughout my travels, which mostly consists of the Brooklyn cityscape. These studies become graphic ink renderings, which exist as a library of images that are incorporated into my collages and installations. The two-dimensional lines in my work can then evolve into a multidimensional environment. This series, titled Decomposed is very much process driven, with multiple stages of creation and execution. Things are broken down, recycled, repurposed, regenerated into new existences, similar to the scientific process of decomposition.  Natural materials are mixed in with synthetic, and each process of creation involves its own often strenuous physical activity. The use of neon light is a recent addition to my work. Neon has interest in this body of work not only for the execution, because it is another way of drawing, but also for its natural scientific elements. The gases pumped in neon tubing create different colors when electrically charged, extracted from the atmosphere then trapped in a tube to emit glowing hues that are unexpected in the natural world. 

From Rot to Ravish is a recent addition and evolution from my Decomposed series. Enacted as a site-specific installation comprised of several mixed media collages, this exhibition travels through multiple forms and techniques of drawing, shown within layers and sprinkled throughout the gallery. Each event within the gallery space has a specific theme from the Decomposed catalogue of drawings, all in various stages of life and death and regeneration, from the rot to the ravish. 

MATERIALS STATEMENT:

A significant number of materials used in my process are repurposed, recycled, or donated. All the plexiglass/acrylic panels in this exhibition were given to me from other artists. Because I cut all of my panels by hand, I create a lot of smaller scale scraps. In order to not produce extra plastic waste, my scraps have been repurposed into the Shard wall collages and Murmuration hanging installations. The smaller scraps that I did not use have been given to some artist peers who are currently creating new work with them. The mylar drawings in the exhibition were made from larger drawings that I cut and turned into collage pieces. With my use of resin, I often have excess resin puddles that accumulate from each piece.  The resin puddles have been broken down and added back into the work. I have given another artist peer some of my resin puddles to use with their work as well. 

Almost all the packing materials for the show consist of reusable boxes that I made from recycled art handling materials. 

Each natural specimen in From Rot to Ravish was donated or found. They all decomposed naturally, and it is believed that they deceased naturally. All the specimens are sealed in resin. 

Biography

Khae Haskell is a mixed-media artist based in Brooklyn, NY. They received their MFA at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Interdisciplinary Art in 2020 and their BA at Marymount Manhattan College in Graphic Design in 2005. Haskell was awarded residencies at ChaNorth Artist Residency and Vermont Studio Center and completed an apprenticeship at Crozier Fine Arts. They were also awarded the Young Talent Award by the Affordable Art Fair and Arts Gowanus where they executed a site-specific installation during the Affordable Art Fair in New York in March 2023. Haskell is currently learning the art of Neon glass bending at Urbanglass in Brooklyn and works as an art handler for Christies Auction House NYC.

Khae Haskell
They/Them
Khaskell.com