Kelly Lawler, Family Trauma in Pieces

I am a seeker, a healer and a maker, contemplating the energy that connects us. With a love of both process and color, my practice is one of repetition and long expanses of color, which is a gift to myself of a meditative experience and a deep flow state.

We are all made of energy. Known through many cultures as chi, prana, and source, to name just a few, but all with a common understanding that these vibrations come from the same origin.

With an interest in socially engaged art, I seek collaboration and conversation from my work that drives the sharing of positive energy and nurtures healing. Looking to educate and influence so that our society can move away from “I” and “me” and evolve into “we” and “us.”

Kelly Lawler is a Philadelphia based artist and maker. An MFA 2023 graduate from the PAFA, her practice has a focus on community, and public art in combination with continuing to explore ideas around the energy that connects us, and the healing powers of that knowledge.

Her sculpture and painting practice is on top of a 25 year project management career in technology. Kelly holds both a MS in Sports Administration from Georgia State University and a BFA in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Kelly has exhibited in both Chicago and Philadelphia with her first public art piece, “Pavel,” a life size blue octopus calling Cherry Street Pier home. A member of the Philadelphia Sculpture Society and Chicago Sculpture International, Kelly has her eye on starting a Philadelphia collective that would be focused on developing deep community, her vision includes artists studios, shared resources and community space. Creating spaces for connection and healing that are both safe and inspirational is her goal.