KOLPEACE

ABOUT:

Christopher Johnson, also known as KOLPEACE, the southern man where the tea is sweet and the people are sweeter ( American b. 1994 Columbia, SC, lives in Baltimore, MD), pursuing his MFA in Community Arts Program at The Maryland Institute College of Art set to graduate this May 2021. He received his Bachelor in Graphic Design in May 2017 from Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC.

He is currently an Artist – In – Residence at the Greenmount West Community Center, Elizabeth "Libby" Bowerman '82 Fellow, Leslie King Hammond Grad Fellow, Segal Education Award in AmeriCorps with 1700 hours of service, and MFACA Private Fellow recipient. He has been featured/performing across the US with festivals, sports teams, nonprofits, schools and Institutions (SXSW, Atlanta Falcons & Atlanta United Executive Dinner (Grand Cayman), Piccolo Spoleto, Volvo Car Open, Moja Arts Festival, College of Charleston Basketball Program, Halsey Institute, Charleston Southern Univ) and much more just ask him. He is a community fella with work featured on multiple segments, publications and news segments such as ABC 4 News, Fox24, The Post and Courier, "Celebrity Undercover Boss with four-time Grammy Award-nominated Jewel Kilcher with her 2017 Handmade Holiday Tour, performing in states across the US (Denver Colorado, Utah, CA, Iowa, etc). He has engaged with High profile artists such as ( Big Krit, Quest Love, Cardi B, Keke Palmer, Rapsody) and many more.

KOLPEACE has impacted numerous community-based projects and events with the intent to bring neighbors who would've otherwise been strangers together through conversation during his riveting interactive live painting sessions and newly found passion for mural storytelling. kolpeace was taught by his mom to be mean and sweet. That wisdom influenced a dialogue of trill and trap style of storytelling gallery works that has been featured in solo & group exhibitions started in 2019 – present. His work has been exhibited at The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center in Baltimore, MD, with the HotSauce Artist Collective, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture in Charleston, SC, Saul Alexander Gallery in SC, and The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD.

ARTIST Q&A:

Q: How long have you been an artist?

A: 6 years total in practicing and three years professionally

Q: What is your preferred medium or tool of preference?

A: Acrylic, Oil, Recycled Wood, Spray Paint, Fire, Palette Sword

Q: What or who (if anyone) inspires your artwork?

A: Every day black folk! Y'all know their titles!

Q: Do you have a favorite artist, poet, book or quote?

A: "I'm twice as old, but I feel good." - James Brown

Q: Any additional information you would like people to know about you?

A: For every puzzle box, painting, and merch sold, I'm investing the funds back into my community over time for a program called Gentlemen's Graffiti LLC. This program will focus on the social-emotional development of black male youth and POC by incorporating a range of artist workshops, museum and gallery visits, and indoor/outdoor projects such as murals/sculptures.

CONNECT WITH KOLPEACE:

IG: @kolpeace

Website: www.kolpeace.com

SHOP KOLPEACE'S PUZZLE: