BIOGRAPHY AND RESUME
Welcome! My name is Kanika Marshall. My desire is to share the strength and majesty of ancient cultures with collectors of exotic art via beautiful, spiritual sculptures and clay pottery that are hand-crafted in my private art studio near Sacramento, California.
I am most inspired by sculptural artwork that uses the interplay of various media to show the connection between humanity and the Earth that serves us. Clay is the foundation of my artwork, but other earthly materials such as stone and glass, as well as vivid textiles, leather, shells, beads, and recycled metal enhance the art.
I believe my African ancestors work through my fingers to create each collectible art sculpture in my Kanika African Sculptures collection. My creative process generally begins with a 25-pound block of red clay. Shapes of women, abstract forms, or other figures seem to take shape on the clay surface and my hands begin to move. Press. Scratch. Incise. Build. My hands are driven by a spiritual force to shape the clay. I am as surprised and delighted as my clients by the result and they can sense and share in the excitement I feel for the clay. Joyful. The spiritual essence from the ancestors shines through. I am humbled.
Some of the black doll figurines, goddess statues, mask sculptures, and art pieces are adorned with authentic African fabric, jewelry, leather, glass, beads, shells, recycled metal, stones, feathers, and other organic materials. The breast cancer survivor pendants are glazed with hopeful colors representing a zest for living. The pottery bowls and other clay vessels are decorated with interesting tribal designs and vivid colors. The recycled metal garden art pieces appeal to people who wish to bring harmony, movement, color and fun to their garden.
Studying with renowned potter/sculptor Ruth Rippon in 1980 and with figurative sculptor Yoshio Taylor in the 1990s, I have also taken numerous clay sculpting and glazing workshops with local professionals and have been a member of the Elk Grove Artists and Sacramento Potters Groups for over a decade.
I hope this artwork stimulates your eyes, appeals to your emotions, encourages your desire to touch, and helps you to feel connected to the Earth and to each other.
Sincerely, Kanika Marshall
PROFESSIONAL ACCOLADES
2012 Entry into the Congressional Record from Sacramento African American Art Collective and California Black Caucus
2010 Interviewed in the Sacramento News and Review newspaper.
2009 Served as a judge for the Elk Grove Artists' High School Art Contest (Sculpture).
2009 Interviewed in the Sacramento Magazine.
2009 Interviewed in the Sacramento Examiner.
2008 Served as a judge for the Elk Grove Artists' High School Art Contest (Sculpture).
2008 Served as a judge for the California State Fair Youth Sculpture Exhibit.
2007 Nine of Kanika's sculptures were purchased for the California Black Caucus.
2007 Kanika's "Forest Kiss" tile was purchased for Attallah Shabazz, Malcolm X's daughter.
2007 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Bee" newspaper.
2006 Served as a judge for the Elk Grove Artists' High School Art Contest (Sculpture).
2006 Commissioned to provide custom tile murals for New Faze Development building.
2005 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Bee" newspaper.
2005 City of Elk Grove purchased "Sea Jellies and River Rock" wall sculpture.
2004 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Spotlight" magazine.
2004 City of Elk Grove purchased "Leather Locks, Five Ancestors" wall sculpture.
2003 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Observer" newspaper.
2003 Profiled in the "Lincoln Messenger" newspaper.
2003 Pictured in the "Elk Grove Citizen" newspaper.
2000 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Observer" newspaper.
2000 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Bee" newspaper.
1998 Interviewed on TV Channels 3 and 10 for the Crocker Art Museum's Show.
1995 Interviewed in the "Sacramento Observer" newspaper.
1993 Interviewed on the "San Francisco Live" television show.
FEATURED ARTIST SHOWS
2012 Gay and Lesbian Center, Sacramento, CA
2011 Kuumba Collective Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2010 Kuumba Collective Art Gallery "Warrior Divas," Sacramento, CA
2010 Blue Moon Gallery "Legacy" Art Show, Sacramento, CA
2009 Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
2008 Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, Elk Grove, CA
2008 Doiron Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2007 Port City Java, Elk Grove, CA
2006 Zigatos Restaurant, North Sacramento, CA
2006 Nineteen Ten Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2006 20th Street Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2003 KSSJ Jazz Radio Third Thursday at the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
2001 Crocker Art Museum Trunk Show, Sacramento, CA
2000 Crocker Art Museum Trunk Show, Sacramento, CA
1995 Barton's Gallery, Sacramento, CA
AWARDS WON AT JURIED ART SHOWS
2012 Valley Sculpture Artists (Second Place), Sacramento, CA
2012 Award from Sacramento African American Art Collective given at the California State Capitol
2010 Elk Grove Artists (First Place), Elk Grove, CA
2009 Sojourner Truth Award of Excellence, Sacramento, CA
2009 Elk Grove Artists (First Place), Elk Grove, CA
2008 California State Fair Exhibition (Award of Excellence), Sac, CA
2007 California State Fair Exhibition (Award of Merit), Sac, CA
2006 California State Fair Exhibition (Award of Merit), Sac, CA
2005 California State Fair Exhibition (Award of Excellence), Sac, CA
2004 Valley Sculpture Artists (Judge's Choice-Best of Show), Carmichael, CA
2004 California State Fair Exhibition (Award of Merit), Sac, CA
2003 NCA "Inner Views" (First Place), Carmichael, CA
2003 NCA "Bold Expressions" (Honorable Mention), Carmichael, CA
2003 California State Fair (Award of Merit), Sac, CA
2003 California Arts League "Nouvelles Images" (Second Place), Carmichael
2002 Fine Arts Center "Magnum Opus International" (Award of Merit), Carmichael
2002 California State Fair (Award of Merit), Sac, CA
2001 "Art on the River" (Second Place), Old Sacramento, CA
2000 Valley Sculpture Artists "No Way To Frame It" (Best of Show), Carmichael
2000 Northern California Artists "Inner Views" (First Place), Carmichael, CA
1998 Sacramento Potter's Group Annual Show (Second Place), Sacramento
1995 California Arts League "Open" Show (First Place), Carmichael, CA
GROUP GALLERY SHOWS AND STORES
2012 Oakwilde Sculpture Garden Show
2012 Blue Moon Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2012 Gay and Lesbian Center, Sacramento, CA
2012 The Brickhouse Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2012 State Capitol, Governor's Office, "Family - Those We Love"
2011 The Brickhouse Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2011 Kuumba Collective Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2011 Kennedy Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2011 J27 Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2011 Gallery 2110, Sacramento, CA
2011 Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, Elk Grove, CA
2011 Blue Moon Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2010 Kuumba Collective Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2010 High Hand Gallery, Loomis, CA 2010 Sacramento Fine Arts Center
2010 Blue Moon Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2010 57th Street Gallery, Oakland, CA
2009 Sunlight of the Spirit, Sacramento, CA
2009 Blue Moon Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2009 20th Street Gallery "50-50" Show, Sacramento, CA
2007 Nineteen Ten Gallery, Sacramento, California
2007 Doiron Gallery, North Sacramento, CA
2006 Nineteen Ten Gallery, Sacramento, California
2006 Doiron Gallery, North Sacramento, CA
2006 20th Street Gallery, Sacramento, California
2005 Taylor's Nouveau Fine Art Gallery, Elk Grove, CA
2005 Tarracotta Pottery and Art Gallery, Elk Grove, CA
2004 Valley Sculpture Artists "No Way to Frame It", Carmichael, CA
2004 Artful-i Gallery, "Ribbons of Hope" show, Roseville, CA
2003 Valley Sculpture Artists "No Way to Frame It", Carmichael, CA
2003 Matrix Arts Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2003 Marjorie R. Smith Gallery, "Sacred Spaces" Clay Show, Sacramento
2002 Placerville "Mother Lode Art Show", Placerville, CA
2002 Northern California Artists "Bold Expressions", Carmichael, CA
2002 Hawkman Studios, Sacramento, CA
2001 Valley Sculpture Artists "No Way To Frame It", Carmichael, CA
2001 Roseville Arts Center Annual "Open" Show, Roseville, CA
2001 Elliott Fouts Gallery, Granite Bay, CA
2001 Crocker Art Museum Store, Sacramento, CA
2001 Ash-Can Gallery, Carmichael, CA
2000 Crocker Art Museum Store, Sacramento, CA
1999 Crocker Art Museum Store, Sacramento, CA
1999 Lincoln Arts Gallery, Lincoln, CA
1999 Cobweb Collection Gallery, Sutter Creek, CA
1998 Nordstrom, San Francisco, CA
1997 River Road Gallery, Locke, CA
1997 Northern California Artists "Open" Show, Carmichael, CA
1997 Blooming Arts Gallery "The Masks We Wear", Sacramento, CA
1996 Nordstrom, Sacramento, CA
1995 Belles Artes Club "Rooted, Culture" Group Show, Sacramento, CA
1993 I.D.E.A. Gallery, Sacramento, CA
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Sacramento Potter's Group Member since 1993
Elk Grove Artists Member since 1998
Potter's Council Member since 2003
NEWS STORIES
Kanika Marshall has received numerous professional accolades and media attention over the past twenty years. A few recent news articles written about Kanika, or by Kanika, or pictures of events, follow for your reading pleasure. Please click on a link to read more.
2010 News and Review
href="http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1588904" target="_blank">Strong Art
2009 Elk Grove Citizen article on recession pricing: Page 1
2007 Sacramento Bee article: Page 1 Page 2
2007 City of Elk Grove Public Art Brochure featuring Kanika's Leather Locks Five Ancestors.
2006 20th Street Gallery Art Opening: Kanika Marshall was the featured sculpture artist in August 2006.
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2006 1910 Gallery Art Opening: Mary Marshall Watercolors and Kanika African Sculptures were the featured artists in April 2006 at this avant garde art gallery (1910 Q Street, Sacramento, CA).
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2006 Collaborative Art Project for New Faze Development: This CD chronicles the six_month journey of artists Kanika Marshall, Anne Bradley, and Chris Kubi to create a substantial art sculpture for the lobby of the New Faze Development (a real estate developer) headquarters on Del Paso Blvd. in Sacramento, California. The Doiron Gallery on Del Paso Blvd. sponsored the effort to outfit the entire headquarters building with art. NOTE: for dial_up users, it may take several minutes to load all of the pictures.
2006 Black History Month at Folsom Lake College
2005 City of Elk Grove Artwork Purchase including Kanika's "Sea Jellies and River Rock."
2004 Annual Holiday Studio Show
2004 Spotlight Magazine Article about Kanika African Sculptures.
2004 City of Elk Grove Artwork Purchase including Kanika's "Leather Locks, Five Ancestors."
2003 Sacramento Observer Newspaper article about Kanika's December 2003 Kwanzaa art show at the Crocker Art Museum. Page 2
2003 Lincoln News Messenger Showing Kanika at the Clay Festival
2003 Stupendous Sacramento Potters Group Seconds Sale reported by Kanika.
2002 "The Internet: A New Kind of Art Canvas" an article written by Kanika which describes how artists can (and should!) develop and market a website.
2002 "The Ceramic Process" is an article written by Kanika which describes what clay is in addition to various techniques for using clay.
2001 Sacramento Bee Newspaper article about Kanika and her mother, Mary Marshall, regarding an upcoming Trunk Show at the Crocker Art Museum.
2000 Sacramento Observer Newspaper article covering a successful Trunk Show at the Crocker Art Museum.
2000 Crocker Art Museum Art Letter announcing Kanika African Sculptures in the Museum Gift Store, as part of the extensive Walter O. Evans collection of African American art.
2000 Walter O. Evans Art Show at the Crocker Art Museum article
on this very impressive and successful show, written by the Sacramento Observer
Magazine. Knika and her mother are quoted.
1998 Employee Magazine article on African Art written by Kanika.
1993 Sacramento Observer pictorial on the monthly African American Trade Shows at Belle Coolidge Community Center in Sacramento.
1993 TV Interview on "San Francisco Live"
