KAI SAYLOR
CURRENT EXHIBIT THE MANUSCRIPT
The Manuscript is a collection of mixed media sculptures that encapsulates my personal journey and reflections on life over recent years. In this series, I delve into the themes of loss, relationships, death, loneliness, and recovery. Through self-determination and resilience, these pieces tell a story that ultimately finds its way to hope. Each large-scale sculpture is a moment, frozen in time, capturing narratives of divorce, death, addiction, and the strength found in recovery. These works aim to hold space for the duality of loss and gain, inviting viewers to witness and feel both sides of these experiences.
In this series, wire sculptures serve as symbols of the chaos that surround us, reflecting my own attempts to navigate and make sense of it all. Their movements and poses express both turbulence and resolve. Intertwined within these forms are dried flowers and wool—elements that evoke softness and beauty, reminders of the gentle strength that can accompany even our most fragile moments. By uniting these materials, I explore the harmony that exists between resilience and vulnerability, creating a space where both can coexist.
At its core, The Manuscript is my personal narrative, a visual diary of how I move through life and process the world. Through each story told—of pain, of resilience, of healing—there emerges a sense of hope. This journey is not solely mine but resonates universally. Together, we are reminded to be true to ourselves, embrace our emotions, and find compassion for ourselves and others. This story is not just mine; it belongs to all of us.
In this series, wire sculptures serve as symbols of the chaos that surround us, reflecting my own attempts to navigate and make sense of it all. Their movements and poses express both turbulence and resolve. Intertwined within these forms are dried flowers and wool—elements that evoke softness and beauty, reminders of the gentle strength that can accompany even our most fragile moments. By uniting these materials, I explore the harmony that exists between resilience and vulnerability, creating a space where both can coexist.
At its core, The Manuscript is my personal narrative, a visual diary of how I move through life and process the world. Through each story told—of pain, of resilience, of healing—there emerges a sense of hope. This journey is not solely mine but resonates universally. Together, we are reminded to be true to ourselves, embrace our emotions, and find compassion for ourselves and others. This story is not just mine; it belongs to all of us.
IN THE ARTIST'S WORDS
My earliest memories of growing up are deeply rooted in trauma. Fighting to make sense of the chaotic world around me, I turned inward and isolated myself. As my environment continued to swirl deeper into chaos and I continued diving inward - I found myself only able to express emotions through art making. Struggling as a queer child in a conservative small town only ushered in a greater hurt fueled from an alcoholic broken household. Spending much of my early years in mental anguish and struggling with PTSD, I found myself lost.
The moment I began putting marks on paper was the moment I was able to start healing. I found that through art - I could express the pain and trauma I felt in a way that I could never express through words. Art made sense - it gave me a voice when I had none - it expressed feelings I otherwise couldn’t. Music is a gateway through which all of my works stem from. When I create my work I become incredibly raw and emotional and often will work through tears and a mix of emotions as I create. Through this process I find myself and give shape to these feelings so that others can relate, reflect and relieve their own struggles.
I have continually evolved as a person and have healed through my art which rapidly has changed my direction in what I am making. I began with creating scribble drawings, in which tiny scribbles composed figures, portals and other worlds. Through those scribbles I wanted to make something more dimensional and more impactful. I took to wire. As I have worked in making these surrealistic figures in wire - it has unlocked a more expressive narrative and allows me to connect my emotions in a more physical manner. The physical act of wrapping and layering the wire becomes the thread of my story in physical form.
I continue to put in the work to heal and overcome - so you can too.
The moment I began putting marks on paper was the moment I was able to start healing. I found that through art - I could express the pain and trauma I felt in a way that I could never express through words. Art made sense - it gave me a voice when I had none - it expressed feelings I otherwise couldn’t. Music is a gateway through which all of my works stem from. When I create my work I become incredibly raw and emotional and often will work through tears and a mix of emotions as I create. Through this process I find myself and give shape to these feelings so that others can relate, reflect and relieve their own struggles.
I have continually evolved as a person and have healed through my art which rapidly has changed my direction in what I am making. I began with creating scribble drawings, in which tiny scribbles composed figures, portals and other worlds. Through those scribbles I wanted to make something more dimensional and more impactful. I took to wire. As I have worked in making these surrealistic figures in wire - it has unlocked a more expressive narrative and allows me to connect my emotions in a more physical manner. The physical act of wrapping and layering the wire becomes the thread of my story in physical form.
I continue to put in the work to heal and overcome - so you can too.
ABOUT KAI
Kai grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania before moving to Portland, OR in 2011. Once they moved to Portland they started to prolifically make artwork and showcased their work in exhibits throughout Portland and Tucson. Kai is a self taught artist who has done installations, murals, performances, drawings, painting and more recently sculptures.
They had established an art gallery in late 2014 in Portland and continued ownership through late 2019 where they had 3 solo exhibitions of their work.
Their work is in Private Collections in Portland, Los Angeles, Tucson.
They had established an art gallery in late 2014 in Portland and continued ownership through late 2019 where they had 3 solo exhibitions of their work.
Their work is in Private Collections in Portland, Los Angeles, Tucson.